The Avavlon Project - Prospectus

Prospectus

KEEPING YOUNG PEOPLE ON TRACK

WORKING TOGETHER FOR CHANGE

The current generation of young people are facing a multitude of challenges which affect their educational outcomes, whether that be a difficult family life, poverty, youth violence or antisocial influences. Alternative education methods are a vital way to connect young people to the future careers they deserve.

This education is an imperative component that provides both support and guidance to those who may not find it elsewhere. At The Avalon Project we strive to create a unique environment where young people receive excellent quality education and learn technical skills in a subject they are passionate about. Everything we do here is delivered in an environment that fosters discipline, life skills and fun.

This prospectus gives a flavour of what

The Avalon Project offers. Our passion, commitment and belief in what we do runs deep. We look forward to the opportunity to talk with you more about how we can work together.

Neil Monaghan Head of Centre The Avalon Project

KEEPING YOUNG PEOPLE ON TRACK

The Avalon Project has been running for more than 40 years and we have extensive experience in planning and delivering alternative education, positive activities and youth programmes that not only appeal to young people, but also make a real difference to their lives.

Our alternative education provision is accredited by Pearson Edexcel, and our suite of BTEC technical courses have been specially crafted for young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) and for those who struggle with mainstream academic study.

We create the right conditions so that everyone can achieve their potential – gaining the qualifications, skills and grades that lead them to positive futures and meaningful employment.

OUR MISSION

We believe in a person-centred approach to learning, we run small classes with high tutor to student ratios and create practical, skills-based lessons that are fun and accessible for all. We foster social values, life skills and instil a sense of pride in work and self-belief in ability.

THERE ARE NO MORE POWERFUL TOOLS IN LIFE

Like any good mechanic, our curriculum has been fine-tuned to deliver performance and lasting results, not only teaching technical trade skills we incorporate off-road motorbiking, mountain biking, outdoor learning and extracurricular trips and programmes.

The outdoor sessions are designed with plenty of fun, challenge and stretch which we believe builds resilience and confidence that transfers to other areas of learning and life. It’s not only a rewarding and enriching experience, but it also encourages complete engagement in our workshops.

We follow national governing body guidance for each activity, our coaches are affiliated with the Auto Cycle Union and British Cycling, and we use our skills and experience to ensure our coaching methods and practices are in line with, or in most cases, exceed the national standards.

91% 150 Positive Attendance

87% BTEC Pass Rate Off-road Rider Certificates

FUN TIMES

OUR APPROACH

Delivered by experienced professionals and accredited by Pearson Edexcel, our courses offer a way forward for young people at risk of permanent exclusion from the school system.

Everyone that takes part is taught in an engaging manner, respected as a fellow young adult and given responsibility for their work and their actions.

The workshops are suitable for young people who may have some learning difficulties, or who struggle in traditional academic situations. Our students are taught practical technical skills in the workshop and our programmes are 100% hands-on.

We use digital learner resources and tablet computers to record progress and generate assessment evidence. This enables learners who might struggle with literacy and numeracy to achieve excellent results. We work to remove the barriers from learning, we focus on engagement, improving self-esteem, confidence, but most importantly we make learning fun.

IMPROVE CONFIDENCE

RAISE ATTAINMENT MAKE LEARNING ACCESSIBLE GENERATE STRONG OUTCOMES

WELL-BALANCED ACTIVITIES

Our curriculum offering is broad and whilst our history is motorbikes and engineering, we have adapted our tried and tested methods and applied them to new technical qualifications that create greater opportunity to employment in trade.

The Avalon Project has a strong and diverse range of subjects. Below is a selection of the courses we provide.

DIGITAL MEDIA

Courses designed to inspire creativity, discovery, design and production. Our professionally equipped studio has it covered.

• Music production

• Graphic design

• Film production

• Digital photography

VOCATIONAL STUDIES

Vocational studies provide a unique blend. We can create a bespoke courses from a wide range of industries.

• Sport

• Construction

• Engineering

• Cooking

CATERING

We cover essentials in nutrition, food safety, and cooking but we don’t stop there, we turn up the heat.

• Live fire cooking

• Butchery

• Low and slow BBQ

• Wok skills

REPARATION

We have ready to go programmes for reparation. The Avalon Project has the expert skills and experience to engage young offenders and work with youth offending teams to achieve the outcomes required.

ENGINEERING

Accredited work-based learning in our professionally fitted engineering workshop.

• Motorcycle maintenance

• Welding

• Electrics

• Fabrication

CONSTRUCTION

This course will have graduates on the tools and on site fast.

• Carpentry

• Electrical installation

• Plumbing

• Painting and decorating

CYCLE REPAIR

Cycling is a fantastic way to keep fit and get around town. The skills we teach save money and keep everyone cycling safe.

• Cycle safety

• Cables and gears

• Tyres, wheels and spokes

• Bearings

TESTIMONIALS

We think our programmes are well refined and generating strong outcomes for young people but there is always room for improvement. In the purist of perfecting our training programmes we regularly run student voice, session feedback and stakeholder review activities. We act on areas of improvement and appreciate the valuable feedback we receive.

Here are some recent kind words from our partners:

WE ASKED...

WHAT DOES THE AVALON

PROJECT

MEAN TO YOU?

Karen – Ian Mikardo

“The Avalon team have been amazing at welcoming and engaging our students. Forming new relationships is a challenge for our students but Neil and his team have done an amazing job engaging them. The students have picked up lots of new skills and they speak highly of the course.”

Arthur – Camden YOS

“Camden Youth Offending Service has worked in partnership with The Avalon Project for over forty years. The Avalon Project engages our young people through their amazing alternative education and a slick ‘recycle’ reparation programme.”

Maria – Parent

“My son really struggled in school, it was always a struggle to get him to attend. This has all changed since he started attending The Avalon Project. He has learnt so much about motorbikes and bicycle repair but best of all he now loves cooking and helps out at home.”

Mark – Student

“I hate school and the teachers. They just don’t get it. Avalon is different, it’s all practical work and we get to go dirtbiking if we do well.”

HOW TO MAKE A REFERRAL

We welcome anyone, from any walk of life, whatever the situation, to come and experience The Avalon Project. There are a few ways we can get the ball rolling!

INDIVIDUAL REFERRAL

If you know someone that could benefit from what The Avalon Project offers, please do get in touch. We would meet in person to discuss the individual, their requirements and assess whether this is the right course for them.

BESPOKE PROGRAMME

Of course, things don’t always fit neatly into boxes, we can create custom sessions to suit most needs. So if you need us to visit you, outside of normal hours, we can do that too. Simply get in touch.

GROUP REFERRAL

Our approach and the skills we teach can be beneficial to a broad range of young people. We teach entire classrooms, and the shared experience can be hugely rewarding.

The Avalon Project

1a Churchway, London, NW1 1LJ

Neil Monaghan (Head of Centre) neil.monaghan@camden.gov.uk

07921 817923

@1avalonproject www.avalonproject.co.uk