TITLE OF DEVELOPING PRACTICE EXAMPLE
Transitions Groups
built BY
Digitize Pathways in partnership with Tablet academy Scotland and Co.Lab Hub
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CONTEXT / BACKGROUND
Our Transitions Groups are created for targeted young people. They run from Primary 7 through to S5/6. The focus of the groups depends on the need of the young people involved, and within a year group there can be different groups created if required. Pupils are placed in our Transitions Groups through recommendations from our Pastoral teachers. The overarching aim of the full programme is to develop the social skills, emotional wellbeing and employability skills of our young people and help them move into a positive destination.
WHAT WE DID
S2/3 - As our pupils have been dealing with a number of changes in the past few years the focus will be on learning how to manage these changes effectively to reduce anxieties. These groups are named as ‘Seasons for Growth’ and will target different pupils each term. Impact will be tracked through attendance and reduction in behaviour/wellbeing referrals.
S4 – Our S4 Transition Group are focusing on developing employability skills. The course has a range of practical activities designed to do this. Importantly, underpinning all of the activities is a strong emphasis on what skills are being developed and why these are relevant, making both of these explicit to pupils.
S5/6 – Our Senior Transition Group are building on the work they carried out in S4. They are applying this in real life situations. For example, we have secured spaces for our young people to visit and learn on a live construction site. Pupils will receive practical experiences that allow them to develop skills and earn qualifications that will allow them to move into employiment in the construction industry
P7 – This is a new group created for this year. Both pupils and parents will make up a cluster group that will focus on a positive transition into S1 across the year. The programme will run from Christmas to summer and will incorporate online meetings, in school visit and family learning events. All Faculties across the school will have inputs at various times in the year with this group.
*Across all groups pupils have the opportunity to complete additional awards at levels 3,4 & 5.
HOW WE DID IT
· Pupils are targeted through tracking and monitoring.
· Pupils are then recommended for Transitions Groups through Pastoral Heads.
· Pupils are placed into groups depending on their needs i.e. anxiety/coping with change, managing behaviour, developing employability skills.
· Pupils work through programme of work led by Pupil Support staff in conjunction with CLD Officer.
IMPACT / OUTCOMES
- Increase the core and life skills of the young people - lit/num measures.
- Increase engagement in school life by meeting pupil needs through course adaptations – attendance & positive referrals.
- Increase engagement in the wider community - club/activity attendance.
- Increase accreditation – attainment at levels 3,4,5,6 & increase in average tariff points across targeted pupils.
- Increase attendance – attendance records.
- Increase number of young people achieving positive destinations – SLDR figures.
- Tracking and monitoring of pupil experience – Attendance records & pupil feedback.
- Work experience placements to develop employability skills – SLDR figures.
FEEDBACK
‘As a member of transitions when I was at Braes, I know how much it changed me. The transition group kept me engaged in school when I did not feel like attending. I enjoyed the practical elements of the course and it allowed me to start gaining knowledge and experience in the construction industry. Now I am a Project Manager working with a construction company. This would not have been possible without my experience at Braes High School.’ Former Pupil
Categories
Stage focus
LA
Falkirk
Where?
Braes High School, Newlands Road, Brightons, Falkirk, UK
CONTACT PERSON
Darren Yeates
CONTACT EMAIL
darren.yeates@falkirk.gov.uk
