OUR SCHOOL
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Vocational Training Centre (VTC) Independent School is for pupils with behavioural, social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties who have either been permanently excluded or at risk of being permanently excluded from school. Currently, this school caters for, up to 24 students from the ages 12 to 18.
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It is common for the students to have been out of education for long periods of time before placement at VTC, this is either due to not being able to access or engage in their mainstream provision or due to lack of any appropriate provision being available. As a result, they usually have complex co-morbid needs alongside low self-esteem and confidence due to continued failure to engage or progress their learning, this predominantly manifests itself in very challenging behaviour and even more barriers to overcome.
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VTC therefore offer learning pathways that are multifaceted, personalised and motivating in order to engage in new learning opportunities including highly specialised vocational offers (engineering), work experience, community project work and outdoor wellbeing interventions supported by a core of academic studies in a nurturing environment.
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Student's previous poor attendance levels, allied to long periods out of school will be tackled with personalised programmes which will aim to increase their attendance over time. The impact of this will be monitored over time and the improvement of attendance against baselines. It is also hoped that the school ethos to provide a positive learning environment will help.
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The biggest influence in changing these behaviours is impacted by the amount of time given to meeting the pupils social and emotional needs, these are met through high staffing levels and personalised interventions and strategies. Liaison with parents, carers, LA and other agencies is hugely important in the success of the placement.
Most students come into the school within Key Stage 4 and the intention is for all pupils to leave the school with a positive destination pathway, so the school will ensure that either a purposeful further education training pathway is found or the guarantee of a place in an apprenticeship route organised by the school. On some occasions work placements can be found.
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Additionally, the pupils will leave with a range of qualifications that match their requirements for their onward transition including core functional skills and vocational courses at level 1 +.
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Communal Areas
There is a fully fitted kitchen area for the students to have breakfast and lunch accompanied with a large dining area.
Workshop
At the rear of the unit, we have a large 3600sq foot mechanical training area equipped with ramps, tyre machines, compressors and various cars for our students to practice on. We also have a large mezzanine floor area with lockers and a safe changing area for our students.
Classrooms
The centre consists of multiple classrooms that have the equipment to teach the students for English, Maths and IT. This includes laptops for each individual student, smart boards in classrooms. These are situated on the lower level and a larger teaching room upstairs.
Welding & Fabrication Provision
Within the unit we have a modern welding and fabrication provision with a wide range of tools.
Headteacher's Message
Welcome to our school website. I hope you find it both informative and interactive as well as an accurate reflection of the values and ethos of The Vocational Training Centre Independent School.
We have a highly motivated, caring, committed and loving staff team. Whose primary aim is to promote equality, nurture and progress, alongside supporting the needs of every child.
Our students are at the heart of all that we do, and the school has been purposefully designed to meet their specific needs.
There is a simple school layout to avoid confusion and small classes, enabling staff to provide the intensive support that helps young people to develop and progress.
These provide a low arousal and safe environment.
Many of our young people need to develop the confidence to speak in groups and collaborate with others, which is a key area of development.
Anxiety is also minimised because there are no large crowds of students, instead young people are part of a warm and inclusive school community, where everyone has a place.
Students thrive at VTC School, and we are proud of the progress they make in every aspect of their learning.
We are committed to ensuring that each young person leaves us with recognised qualifications, improved confidence, and self-esteem, with strategies to manage the challenges of the future with belief in their own unique strengths and abilities.
We would love to welcome you to our school, please do not hesitate to contact us to arrange a visit.
Anna Daly - Interim Headteacher
Vocational Training Centre Independent School