Youth Achievement Foundations

What are the Youth Achievement Foundations™?

Youth Achievement Foundations™ are a motivating vocational and activity based curriculum of personal and social development for students excluded from secondary school at Key Stage 4 or at risk of exclusion. The Foundations are based either within schools which act as a hub for local referrals or more commonly in distinct separate buildings run by not for profit 3^rd sector organisations experienced in alternative curricular delivery.

Why do we need Youth Achievement Foundations™?

In the last year for which records are available over 340,000 school exclusions occurred in England and of these over 34,000 were permanent exclusions. Figures are equally significant in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The foundations are specifically designed to meet the needs of young people for whom mainstream education is no longer working. Whilst maintaining a core delivery of basic literacy and numeracy, pupils will be offered a curriculum that is more appropriate to their personal & social development and accredit their learning from a variety of vocational areas.

They aim to offer a cost effective alternative to pupil referral and behaviour support units.

What is our track record?

UK Youth has been piloting the Youth Achievement Foundations™ model for over five years in collaboration with 7KS Enterprise College.

To date over 600 NEET young people have benefited, 75% gaining Youth Achievement Awards, 75% gaining a Key Skill and 100% gaining accredited outcomes. A 2006 Ofsted Report called the provision ‘outstanding’. We know the model works, is cost-effective and sustainable.

How do they fit with policy?

Youth Achievement Foundations™ specifically strive to meet the recommendations within the May 2008 White Paper report “Back on Track” a strategy for modernising alternative provision for young people. This builds on the December 2007 Children’s Plan proposals to set out new strategies to transform the quality of alternative education for those who are excluded or who are unable to attend mainstream school and on the government’s 10 year strategy for young people: “Aiming High”.

Click on the links below to view UK Youth's Curriculum Development Model and an example curriculum for one of UK Youth's year two 2009 Foundations™ at Avon Tyrrell - Hampshire.

UK Youth's Curriculum Development Model

Avon Tyrrell Youth Achievement Foundation Proposed Curriculum Term 1

Who supports the programme?

UK Youth has been awarded significant funding by the DCSF (Department for Children Schools & Families) YSDF (Youth Sector Development Fund) to support the development of the first ten of these pathfinder foundations through the period 2008-2011.The programme is also supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and by local authority partners.

The programme is delivered in partnership with 7KS Enterprise College, ASDAN, Clubs for Young People and local partners. Expertise on community mentoring is provided to the programme by Bolton Lads & Girls Club.

Where is there currently provision?

In year one, 2008, Foundations were opened and are available in Cheshire, Gloucester and Kent.

In year two, September 2009, Foundations are opening at Avon Tyrrell - Hampshire, Bristol, Teeside and Derbyshire.

Details relating to year three Youth Achievement Foundations for September 2010 will be made available in October 2009.

If you would like to apply to be a foundation please contact either David King or Stephen Turner, details below.

Click here for pdf brochure giving more details

If you would like to know more about how you might be able to get involved then contact: