Janet Hilken, Chief Executive of St Thomas's Community Network, where the Youth Achievement Foundation (YAF) is based, reflects on the changes in their approach to learning since becoming a YAF: “We have been an Independent School for five years, working with our local authority and local schools. However, last year was our first as a YAF. It was all a bit different for us and sometimes we clung to the more formal approach we were used to.

“The original idea had been to work thematically but last year it just didn’t happen. Staff were anxious that there was not enough structure and that they would fail to get qualifications through. Discipline was also a problem, so we decided to follow a more traditional timetable.

“This year, however, we were determined to use a more flexible approach. Fortunately, we were able to find support and training for staff from within the YAF network. After team training on the non-formal approach to learning we decided to have another go and began to identify themes we thought had the potential to bring in a variety of learning styles and embed the basics (English, Maths and ICT) as we went along.”

Cooking up themes

Janet continues: “We already had successful cooking sessions and wanted them to be central to what we did. The themes chosen for the first half term this year were The Seasons and The Black Country. In the first we incorporated holidays, gardening and harvest (when we made jams and pickles to give to a local charity). The Black Country theme covered occupations, geography, history, demographics, sports and (again) cooking – bread and butter pudding and faggots and grey peas – typical Black Country dishes!

“Having to include multiple subject areas was a challenge and finding time to research and gather resources was a big issue. Themes had to be selected carefully and delivery had to be inclusive as well as creative. It was a real advantage that themes could involve a wider variety of learning styles than conventional teaching, so individual needs could be met. And, overall, we are convinced that this is the way to go.”

Most importantly, the new approach makes sense to young people:

• “I think it’s better working like we do this year. It’s better to concentrate and stay on one topic and try to learn as much as you can in a week”.
• “I think it’s better that we do our work different now as it’s much better and it’s easier to work. I can understand what I’m doing better”.

Click here for more on Youth Achievement Foundations. 

Click here for more about the Youth Achievement Foundation in Dudley.