Pupil Referral Service have launched a new and exciting learning opportunity for disaffected and disengaged Year 10 and Year 11 pupils. The project, which will be fully operational from the start of the autumn term 2006, will replace provision previously supplied by Not School.Net. Wigan On Line Leaning aims to deal with the individual needs of students whether that means re-engaging, learning, accessing qualifications - or all three!
Introduction
Wigan On Line Learning (WOL) will be based at new premises from the end of August 2006 - The Olympic Centre, Platt Street, Platt Bridge, Wigan.
Referrals to the project will be restricted to 45 places. Places will be available to:
- Young people eligible for placement in an EBSD (Emotional Behavioural and Social Difficulties) school who are considered better suited to WOL.
- Young people who disengage or are not suited to the curriculum offered at the Summit Centre (KS4 Pupil Referral Unit).
Referrals can be made by:
- Children and Young People Services (CYPS)
- EBSD Operations Group
- PRS (Pupil Referral Service) teams
A New Opportunity
WOL will offer each young person a range of learning opportunities, which include:
- Allocation of a personal tutor.
- Weekly one to one teaching.
- Research led internet learning (supported by a personal tutor.)
- Planned 'banked' lessons (these will be individually designed by tutors and will be accessible via the WOL internet platform).
- Menu of 'live' online lessons (these will be timetabled and will be available across a range of subject areas at different attainment levels).
- Students are supported by their personal tutor and are provided with a bespoke curriculum in addition to subject 'areas' offering activities, tasks, suggestions and links.
- Regular social / group activity sessions.
- Audio communication is achieved by use of headsets with microphones and there is an option to see the tutor by use of a webcam.
- Access to a WOL linked Connexions Personal Advisor.
- Access to WOL linked Alcohol and Drugs awareness worker.
A New Way of Learning
What's on offer Online?
- Webex (external link) - Webex is an online conference platform...the 'Training Centre' version is ideal for teaching live online. Students can interact with any of the on screen presentations that can include web pages, music and video files, documents, software and a whiteboard - in fact anything that the tutor is able to access.
- First Class ED (external link) - First Class Ed is a platform that offers a secure learning environment in which the young people become part of a community. This is accessible to them 24 hours a day and even during school holidays if they wish.
Internet
In addition, our young people have filtered access to the world wide wed to facilitate their individual research needs.
They are provided with a fast broadband connection, essential to the success of their progress.
Accreditation and Opportunities
A range of nationally recognised qualifications will be available to WOL students. These include GCSEs, Edexcel adult numeracy and literacy and AQA entry level certificates.
In the future, it is also hoped that WOL students may have the opportunity to further supplement their Individual Learning Packages by adding extended work experience opportunities.
