Wigan Online Learning was developed for those young people who cannot access mainstream school or for whom school is not appropriate. There are up to 60 places available annually.
Currently it is available to:
- Young people in the borough who have failed 2 supported transfers within the school system.
- Young people for whom Pupil Support Centres have proven unsuitable.
- A limited number of young people with specific medical needs who cannot access mainstream school.
The following criteria exists for entry:
- Students must be in Year 10 or 11 at the time of referral; those in Year 9 would be considered as long as the referral is made after Easter in Year 9.
- Students must have a fixed address for a minimum of 6 months following induction.
- If the young person lives in an area where it is difficult, or not possible to connect to the internet, they should not be referred.
- Young people and parents / carers must agree to Wigan Online Learning as the next best provision and agree to sign the Wigan Online Learning contract.
- Young people who might pose a risk to others in the system or who are living with adults who could pose a risk to others in the system should not be given access to First Class and therefore can not be accepted as a Wigan Online Learning student.
- There is a sum attached to the provision of Wigan Online Learning which, at the moment, is set at the current AWPU (Age Weighted Pupil Unit) and referrers need to be aware of this. Any referred young people who are on a Statement should have any Special Educational Needs funding forwarded to Wigan Online Learning.
- Referrers should be prepared to supply Wigan Online Learning with any relevant available background information.
The onus is on those making referrals to ensure that these criteria are adhered to.
Wigan Online Learning Is not just about computers:
The ‘package’ section below highlights the diversity of the provision. However, at the hub of this service is a ‘24/7’ online provision which means that students have educational and pastoral support when they need it.
We aim to reengage, educate where possible and qualify were possible. We currently award and certificate every learning gain and offer extensive AQA units.
At the time of writing, Wigan Online Learning is entering into a commitment to establishing Foundation Learning within the provision. In exceptional circumstances Wigan Online Learning can offer a limited number of GCSE’s although the service was not set up to deliver GCSE’s. Our main focus is to reengage those young people who have lost interest in or cannot cope with mainstream education.
Aims
- To sustain an educational provision for those young people who are regarded as disaffected, in danger of exclusion or are excluded, that is specific to their individual needs.
- To remove some of those institutional factors that have resulted in their disaffection.
- To ensure that the provision is adaptable by both adults and students and that it is welcoming, efficient, user friendly and will make the best use of available technologies.
- To establish and promote meaningful and supportive relationships between staff and students.
- To re establish trust in adults.
- To provide a safe and secure working and social environment for our young people.
- To provide a service that is accessible to those young people at any time of day and any time of year.
- To re engage the young people, educate them where possible and qualify appropriately.
- To work with other agencies in the best interests of the young people.
The Wigan Online Learning 'Package'
WOL offers each young person a range of learning opportunities, including:
- Allocation of a personal tutor.
- Weekly one to one teaching (1 hour weekly).
- Access to an Online Village 24 hours a day.
- Research led internet learning (supported by a personal tutor.)
- 'Live' online lessons (these will be timetabled and will be available across a range of subject areas at different attainment levels).
- Regular social / group activity sessions.
- Access to a weekly group login.
- Access to a Wigan Online Learning linked Connexions Personal Advisor.
- Access to Wigan Online Learning linked Relationships Worker.
- Employment / Education.
- Activities run by the Youth Action Team.
- Work placements.
Young people are provided with (on loan) :
- An apple computer and peripherals.
- A broadband line or 3G internet access card.
- Technical support.
