The Training and Skills Academy

About

The Training and Skills Academy is an alternative education provider located in the town centre of Chester-le-Street.​ We believe in fresh starts and finding the best way to re-engage young people with education. Our staff have over 17 years of teaching experience, including senior leadership and pastoral/academic middle management roles.

​Our mission is to provide our students with a supportive and bespoke educational experience. We strive to break down barriers to learning for disengaged students, equipping them with the skills they need in order to have a successful and prosperous future.

Suitable ages ranges 

The Training and Skills Academy can accept students aged 11 to 16 years old. 

Qualifications available

Students will be taught the following subjects and can also gain specific qualifications as detailed below:

• Literacy and Numeracy: we place great emphasis on literacy and numeracy to support students in GCSE English and Maths in school. All students will study an aspect of literacy and numeracy each day. To combine both literacy and numeracy skills we teach Business Enterprise as a vehicle for securing improvement in literacy (particularly oracy and writing), numeracy, thinking skills, developing aspects of personal and social education.
• Personal Development: students will acquire knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives now and in the future.
• Careers, Information, Advice and Guidance:  we help students to find the right post 16 destinations, ones that they can access and sustain and that they will enjoy.
• Level 1 Award in Employability and Personal Development: this qualification aims to develop key personal skills, qualities and attitudes required by employers to help students progress into employment or in education.
• Level 1 Award in Fitness and Physical Activity: this qualification provides students with an introduction both on a personal level and as an introduction to employment opportunities within the fitness industry.

About the teaching

KS3  - Engage Programme 

We offer an Engage Programme throughout the academic year. This provision is organised for pupils who are struggling to settle in secondary school (typically Y7 and Y8), as well as Y9 transitioning to KS4. This programme has been developed to ensure that students maintain their relationship with their mainstream school and have time to work on their needs which are causing barriers to learning.

KS4 Destinations Programme

All students who join our Destinations Programme will have the opportunity to achieve the Level 1 Award in Employability and Personal Development, inclusive of literacy and numeracy.

In addition to this we also have two pathways for students to choose -

Pathway 1 - Sport

Within this pathway students will have the opportunity to achieve the Level 1 Award in Fitness and Physical Activity.

Pathway 2 - Hair and Make-up Artistry 

Within this pathway students will be taught how to style/dress hair and how to apply a range of make-up products.  There will also be opportunities to develop skills in floristry.

CrossFit (Engage programme and Pathway 1 - Sport)

We use functional fitness/Crossfit, education and mentoring to inspire, engage and connect with young people.

CrossFit combines powerlifting, weightlifting, gymnastics, and cardiovascular training into one cohesive programme. Each session will be lead by a professionally qualified Crossfit coach who will provide advice and guidance to our students to become faster, stronger and, more importantly, healthier.

CrossFit helps build self-confidence. Students are encouraged to set and reach goals, which boosts their self-esteem and helps them feel proud of their accomplishments. This can have a positive impact on their mental health and overall well-being.

Pricing 

Cost for sessions are as follows:

• £80 per day (KS3)
• £85 per day - (KS4 & Yr9) Hair and Make-up Artistry 
• £90 per day (KS4) Sport

Prices include breakfast and lunch.

How to apply for a place for a student

School to contact Gary Thompson at trainingandskillsacademy@gmail.com and then have a telephone conversation between key staff at the provision and school.

A visit is then arranged for the young person with parents/carers (and/or key staff at school). If the young person feels that the provision can support them in their education, a referral form will be sent for the school to fill out and send back.

The provision will aim to have the process complete within 5 days (dependant on paperwork and meetings/visits completed). 

Contact with schools 

• Daily attendance reports
• Termly progress reports
• Regular phone calls with parents and schools

Other relevant information 

Ofsted registered 

N/A 

Insurance 

The Training and Skills Academy has current public liability cover and insurance certificates are displayed. 

We also have current employee liability cover. 

Safeguarding 

The Training and Skills Academy has a compliant safeguarding policy in place which is reviewed yearly. One of the Directors was the safeguarding lead in a secondary school.

Pre-employment checks are carried out in line with guidance. 

The provision has a designated safeguarding lead and there is regular training for all staff at the provision. 

Health and safety 

The Training and Skills Academy has a health and safety policy in place.

We have a full risk assessment for the premises and carry out regular fire drills which are recorded. 

We have all required first aid equipment in place in line with RIDDOR procedures (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013). 

Data protection

The Training and Skills Academy has a data retention policy in place which is reviewed regularly. Staff also receive regular training. 

We have a privacy notice in place that explains how we collect, use and protect people's personal data. 

Compliments and complaints 

There is a compliments and complaints policy and procedure in place.