Avon Tyrrell Youth Achievement Foundation
Avon Tyrrell Youth Achievement Foundation opened in September 2009 and now has a current total of 16 students enrolled at the Foundation
About Avon Tyrrell Youth Achievement Foundation
Avon Tyrrell Youth Achievement Foundation (AT YAF) is based at UK Youth’s Headquarter in the New Forest. It is an alternative education school aimed at young people in years 10 and 11 who find it difficult to engage in mainstream education. These young people will often have been excluded or be at risk of exclusion. The aim of AT YAF is to create an atmosphere of belonging where each young person feels comfortable enough to develop their own reasons for wanting to engage in learning.
Young people have a real say in how their individual learning programme is put together in terms of subject options so that they can choose routes that interest them. Throughout all learning every opportunity is taken to develop functional skills in English, Maths and ICT which is accredited through Functional Skills qualifications. The small, dedicated staff team have been appointed because of their excellent communication skills and because they love working with challenging young people who have had difficulties engaging in mainstream education.
Linked to the AT YAF is a Community Mentoring programme. It is one thing changing behaviour and mind sets at a remote location during the school day but the same issues face these young people when they return to their own surroundings at the end of each day. These issues may relate to their living conditions, their relationships with family members, peer relationships or any of a host of other potential difficulties.
As a learner within AT YAF, they will have the opportunity to be allocated a volunteer mentor from the community. Volunteer mentors are carefully recruited and matched to each young person and will meet face-to-face for one or two hours each week as well as being available at the end of a phone in between whiles. These meetings will take place outside the school day, generally at a place of the young person’s choosing
Avon Tyrrell Case Study
Liam is fourteen years old and has a history of difficulties in primary and secondary schools. His academic progress has been reported as being delayed as a result of social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Liam was reported to have low confidence, particularly in social situations; be unaware of danger; be threatening and intimidating; be unpredictable; assault staff and peers over minor issues. When starting at the YAF Liam set himself aside from the group through non-engagement and verbally aggressive responses to peers.He would sit outside the group during discussions or team activities. Liam was gradually accepted by the group and he began to relax a little.He did engage with some activities and eventually, but grudgingly, accepted advice about safety aspects.Over a period of two weeks of induction activities Liambecame settled enough to fully engage with his selected activities. He began to enjoy the activities and set himself some personal targets.He realised that he could achieve an award and gain some rewards for completing and evidencing his targets and YAA challenges. Liam attends regularly and has a 100% record at the YAF for the first term and an overall average of 92.8%. He appears to be very happy when he is at the YAF and has a very positive attitude towards gaining awards and rewards. Liam appears to have developed a thirst for gaining knowledge about outdoor activities and the equipment needed to keep these safe Liam has been observed giving physical and verbal support for peers who are in crisis or conflict with others. He is moreconfident in social situations and is able to contribute to discussions and team efforts. Liamhas grown in confidence and has given interviews over the phone to reporters from national magazines and newspapers about his experience at the YAF. Heis keen to develop his outdoor skills further and has asked if he can participate in climbing activities off site.We are researching possible community links that would support his ambitions and will attempt to build in day long activity sessions to allow an offsite visit to a climbing wall or coastal cliff.
To read the full press release announcing the launch please click here.
For more information or to contact Avon Tyrrell Youth Achievement Foundation…
visit their YouTube site: www.youtube.com/theatyaf
call: 01425 672347 – option 3 or
Head – extension 448
Curriculum and General Enquiries – ex 468
Community Mentoring and General Enquiries – ex 449
email: atyaf@ukyouth.org
or write:
Avon Tyrrell Youth Achievement Foundation
Avon Tyrrell,
Bransgore,
Hants,
BH23 8EE
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer community mentor please contact Kerry Pedder on: 07748 423 529 or email: kerry@ukyouth.org
