Chellaston Connect Alternative Provision

Connect is our new onsite alternative provision. The provision is for KS3 and KS4 students with social emotional or mental health (SEMH) needs, who are struggling to access our mainstream setting.

Connect offers a safe space and a family ethos where routines, mutual respect and unconditional positive regard are at the heart of everything we do.

We work in collaboration with key mainstream staff, families and outside agencies, to help to identify barriers to learning and start to address some of the possible causes of negative patterns of behaviour. The curriculum is modified with maximum group sizes of six students in each key stage.

Each young person is treated individually and depending on circumstance, some students will attend the provision for a short period of time (minimum of 6-12 weeks) and are then reintegrated back into their mainstream lessons. Some students may receive all their lessons in Connect, where staff from both Connect and main school deliver the lessons, and some will have a blended curriculum where they go back into the main school setting for some lessons and spend the rest of their time with us.

We also organise and deliver small group interventions and events including PSHCE workshops, outdoor learning experiences such as DofE and making dens, bird boxes and bug hotels. For an hour every week our students also have a session with a Think for the Future (TFTF) mentor.

Curriculum Intent

The intent of the Curriculum at Connect is first and foremost about relationships. Our intent is to connect with the young people to engage young people in the learning process. Students accessing Connect often come with a host of SEMH challenges which have led to gaps in learning and a narrative surrounding their behaviour rather than them as individuals. We want to seek to change the narrative, “connect the dots” and start to address some of the possible causes of negative patterns of behaviour or source the support required for the young person to realise their potential.

Our vision and ethos

Our learners often have gaps in their knowledge and understanding because they have experienced disruption to their schooling and become disengaged. We support our students to feel heard and understood so they can develop the skills to overcome obstacles and see the value of education

We believe in a trauma informed approach to behaviour management and aim to develop a greater self-awareness in the social and emotional aspects of students learning. Staff in Connect and visiting teachers are encouraged to look beyond behaviour and to be curious about our student’s needs. Personal Development is central to the work done in Connect.

Values

Our values are the same as in main school where we expect integrity, Care and excellence from our learners and in turn they will receive the same from staff in Connect.

  • Integrity
  • Care
  • Excellence

Curriculum offer (2022-23)

Our curriculum enables students to overcome barriers, re-engage in learning and develop the skills required to successfully reintegrate back into the mainstream setting.  Class sizes are small (maximum of 6 per key stage).

At Key Stage 3, we offer English, Maths and Science as well as opportunities for personal development including in PE, Music, DofE, outdoor learning and PSCHE. We run small nurture groups and interventions in Mindfulness and self-regulation.

 

KS3 Curriculum

At KS4 we offer a core curriculum of English Language, Maths and Science and an option subject. The option depends on the students we have in at any given time, as we aim to deliver a flexible, personalised curriculum. With our current cohort we offer Hair and Beauty and Construction. Half termly careers talks supports students to go onto post 16 courses.

 

Behaviour expectations

  1. Be Safe – All staff, students and visitors need to feel safe at Connect both physically and emotionally making a safe space one of the most important things we seek to create together.
  2. Be Ready to Learn – Be punctual to school/dress appropriately/phones away.
  3. Be Kind – Use appropriate language/listen to others/Respect others, the building and equipment.

 

 

Staffing in Connect:

Staff nameRole
Mrs K. GrimwoodAssistant Headteacher – Connect Leader, Alternative provision, BTEC Quality Nominee

Teaches PE, KS3 English

Mrs C. KowalczukInclusion Learning mentor – Key worker  (full time)
Ms N. KaurInclusion Learning mentor – teaches KS3 Maths (part time)
Mr N. HasanInclusion Learning mentor – teaches Maths (part time)

 

We also have visiting teachers from main school for KS4 English, Maths and Science and Science at KS3 as well as PSCHE, Music.  Students go over to main school to study Level 1 Hair and Beauty and Construction Level 2.

 

Attendance and Punctuality

Key Points for parents/carers

 

  • Students should attend school unless there is a valid medical reason or appointment
  • Parents/carers should contact Mrs Grimwood at the start of the day if a student is going to be absent
  • Parents/carers will receive a text if no call/message is received, as a reminder to contact school
  • Absence levels that cause concern or appear to follow a pattern will be referred to the Education Welfare Officer
  • Parents/carers will receive a half termly letter informing them of their child’s attendance level
  • Students should arrive to school on time and ready to learn.