Create and deliver an alternative curriculum for young people which is innovative, holistic, encourages positive progression and promotes independence.

1. Supported By
Programme 2010/11
Approved Outdoor Activity Provider in -
Accrington & Rossendale
Pendle (various)
At TAS, we have the flexibility to deliver a wide
range of activity / creative projects and workshops to
schools, community organisations and youth
organisations.
Courses accredited through Edexcel, Trinity College
and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
When do we work?
Daytime, evenings, weekends and school holidays.

2. An alternative approach to education
What is The Alternative School?
Now in our fourth year, The Alternative School (known as TAS) was set
up to offer alternative education for those young people who are not
making progress within a school environment.
We are different because we are able to offer a totally unique and
flexible programme that is tailored around the specific needs of each
individual young person.
Young people are referred to TAS from a variety of places including
local schools,Y.P.S., PRU’s, Police,Youth Offending Team, Social Services,
Family Support and often self referral from friends or other young
people that they know. Each young person referred to TAS will work to
a timetable that has been designed around them, has also been designed
with their input and is 100% personal to that young person. The
timetable will vary greatly for each young person and will include a high
percentage of one-to-one work with additional team projects and
activities to help build confidence, team working and social skills.
Each young person will have the opportunity to build their own
portfolio, partake in both indoor and outdoor activities and achieve
qualifications and certificates that are relevant to them.
At TAS we aim to take a more holistic approach and support both the
personal and educational needs of young people, helping them to
overcome a wide range of barriers and develop themselves into well
rounded young individuals.

3. Attending FULL-TIME at TAS
Individual timetable to suit the young
person
1:1 support, advice and career guidance
TAS Curriculum Modules (Maximum class size of 4)
Literacy / Numeracy / ICT or G.C.S.E.`s (Edexcel
Accredited)
1 Full day of sport / BTEC accredited
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Bronze or Silver
College visits, taster days and voluntary work
Counselling Sessions, 1:1 Mentors,Y.P.S. Personal Advisor
TAS Adventurous Activity Programme (AQA Accredited)
Abseiling, Canoeing, Kayaking, Archery, Caving, Mountain
Biking, Street Dance, Fishing, Raft Building, Rock Climbing,
Gorge Scrambling, Football Skills, ‘DJ’ing and Kick Boxing.
Pupils obtain at least 3 qualifications + portfolio of work,
and positive progression onto F.E.
Attending PART-Time at TAS
Support school studies
Ideal as a stand alone programme or part of a reintegration
package back into school, available for years 9, 10 and 11
1:1 support with class work / homework
Gain additional qualifications
Confidence & Self Esteem building
TAS Adventurous Activities programme
Counselling, Bullying, Mediation work-shops
Peer Mentoring Programme
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

4. TAS Adventurous Activities
Ideal for a group of pupils requiring an additional
qualification and motivational support
Can be booked for a specific group for a specific term
Collection and Drop off in TAS minibus
TAS Qualified Staff Ratio 1:4 pupils
Includes all equipment, clothing hire, lunch
Accredited Qualification (AQA / Sports Leaders Award, D of E)
Portfolio of work & evidence
Activities available as an introduction course or can be booked by each
activity leading to progression in that area.
(Schemes of work and lesson plans available)
Caving
Abseiling
Canoeing
Kayaking
Archery
Safer Cycling Course
Mountain Bike Leadership
Raft Building
Rock Climbing (inside and out )
Gorge Scrambling
Walking (Geocache Trails)

5. Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver or Gold Award
Why not add the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze, Silver or GOLD Award to your C.V.?
Available as an After School Club, during School as part of a Personal Development programme, during Summer Holidays, Weekends or Evenings – please ask if you have an
idea for your group of young people.
Bronze Award min of 13 yrs. + approx. 9 months to complete
Silver Award min of 13 yrs. + approx. 12 months to complete
Gold Award min of 16 yrs + approx. 18 months to complete
All young people completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s award will receive a certificate for each section completed, a framed final certificate, photographic evidence for their
portfolio, Duke of Edinburgh badge, portfolio of work and will be invited to a presentation evening.

6. TAS Family Activities and Camping
Activity days with the aim of building
and improving family relationships
All activities planned with specific aims and objectives
to meet the individual needs / requirements of each
family circumstances
Initial assessment meeting and getting to know one
another (family & instructors)
Can be organised as a one day course, or series of
days
Confidence building, team work, self esteem activities /
workshops
Can be booked for groups or individual families
Collection and Drop off in a minibus
TAS staff + AALA accredited activity instructor
Includes all equipment, clothing hire, lunch professional
photo, summary of the day, suggestions for how to
continue to build and improve family relationships
Indoor and Outdoor activities / camping available

7. 1:1 Tutoring / Study Support
Why not excel in your school work or try
something new?
1:1 support with homework
Help with Maths & English
Gain an additional qualification as well as your chosen
options
Prepare a professional C.V. and apply for part-time jobs
Access to I.C.T. and learn new skills
Write and produce a mini film with your friends
Learn how to set up your own business

8. Mountain Bike Leadership & Safer Cycling
Specific course written to encourage cycling for all ages,
groups of friends, families etc.
Options available -
Bike maintenance course using own bike (AQA
accredited)
Help with obtaining funding / sourcing second hand bikes
Bike ability course (Cycling Proficiency) (accredited)
Mountain Bike leadership course (accredited)
The above to include bike hire, helmets, transport to and
from different mountain bike tracks / locations

9. Community Workshops
Creative Workshops
delivered to groups
within the
community -
E.g. Graffiti Art, Mosaics, Face Painting, Pottery Painting,
Glass Painting, T Shirt Design, Kite Making, Jewellery
Making, Henna Tattoos, Knitted Bags, Candle making +
lots more
Improves -
Community Cohesion
Confidence
Self Esteem

10. “ TAS helped me to sort my life out and get
me back on track, I don`t know where I
would be without them.”
(pupil, 2009/10 – now mentoring at TAS)
What else did we do at TAS?
Film Production, Camping, Street dance, City Visits, Pottery, Volunteering,
Football Coaching, Graffiti Art, Photography, Professional Photo Shoot, Fashion
Project, Informative Work-shops, Independence Skills
We learnt how to feel good about ourselves, be confident
and had FUN doing it.

11. Supported by
Our Principles
The TAS strategy is built on five principles:
1) Support
We will stick with helping young people even when they are at their most challenging. We will hang in there and support and guide them into making positive life choices.
Sometimes it is a long process and young people need to know that we will always be available to support them.
2) Educate
We will provide a unique, individualised, FUN and enjoyable, yet challenging and rewarding education experience of the highest attainable standard.
3) Encourage Independence
We will concentrate on encouraging young people to take responsibility for their own learning and personal development by helping them to build their own unique portfolio
of achievements, experiences, enabling them to see their own true worth. We will support all TAS young people through the difficult transition stage from school onto life
post 16, whether into full-time education, training or employment and will continue this support throughout their journey for as long as it is required.
4) Inspire and Motivate
We believe that ALL young people can achieve fantastic results. We will help to facilitate this by providing relevant qualifications that are recognised by both employers and
further education providers, supported by a wide range of adventurous outdoor activities and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award that will help ensure TAS young people
progress into a positive place upon leaving. We believe in `life long learning` and will support this ethos by providing flexible and supportive learning packages, available for all
young people, from all backgrounds.
5) Partnership Working
We can not do all of this on our own, but need to work with and through others in order to multiply our impact.
The statements below define the activities we will undertake in pursuit of our vision-
We will:
Create and deliver an alternative curriculum for young people which is innovative, holistic, encourages positive progression and promotes independence.
Provide advice and support to young people, sign posting to other agencies whilst hand-holding through this process.
Work only with organisations which work with young people to ensure they are listened to and their individual needs met.
Copyright © The Alternative School Ltd 2007-2009

12. For more information please contact
info@thealternativeschool.co.uk
or 01282 851800
07717 525 306