Dunstable GAPS - Prospectus 2025/26

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Pursuingexcellence,openness supportingeachother,Instilling confidence,transformational leadership,inspirational,valuing diversityandempoweringothers

WhoareTCHC?

TCHCisanOfstedGoodproviderwhohavesupportedlocal communitiesacrossBedfordshire,Cambridgeshire,Essex, Hertfordshire,PeterboroughandSuffolkfor20years.Wehave helpedover500,000learnersprogressintobetteropportunities.

WhatisGAPS?

OurGAPScentresprovideaccesstoavarietyofstudy programmestosupportentryintofurthereducationandwork. Setwithinthelocalcommunity,weprideourselvesonthe nurturingenvironmentourcentresprovidewhichhelpsustoget thebestoutofourlearners.

TCHCprovidefullyinclusiveeducationensuringalllearning needscanbemetusingadiverserangeofteachingandlearning resourcesandapproaches.AtourGAPScentres,youwillfinda calm,positiveculturethatencouragessuccesswithall individualsthatattend.

AtTCHCweprovideopportunitiesto developindependenceskillsand prepareforadulthood.

TCHCGAPSprovidesapersonalised andflexibleprogrammeofsupport, whichisupdatedregularly,togiveour learnersapositivelearning experience.

Yoursupportrequirementswillbe determineduponenrolment

Tutorsupport

Learningsupportassistants

Careers,Information,Adviceand

Guidance

Wellbeing

TCHCstrivestoeffectively accommodatealllearners’learning differences.Wehavethefacilitiesand expertisetosupportlearnerswith specialeducationalneedsincluding:

Sensoryneeds

Cognitionandlearning

Communicationandinteraction

Socialandemotionaldifficulties

Mentalhealth

OFSTEDSAID

LearnersatTCHCenjoyandvaluetheeducation thattheyreceive.Theyappreciatebeingtaught insmallgroupsandlearningatapacethathelps themtosucceed.Learnerscommentpositively abouttheflexibleapproachtolearningandhow tutorsteachsubjectsinbitesizetopicssothat learnerscanunderstandthemthoroughlybefore movingontothenexttopic.Learnerslikethe friendlyandhelpfulapproachoftutorsatTCHC. Theyfeelwelcomeandwellsupported.

WORKING INSMALL GROUPS

AtTCHCweunderstandthatevery youngperson’seducationaljourneyis unique,whichiswhyweprioritise supportiveandinclusivelearning environments.

Oursmallgroupsettingsencourage collaborativelearningandalloweach individualtoexpressthemselveswhile feelingvaluedandunderstood.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT& BURSARIES

Youcanapplyforabursarytohelp towardsattendingthecourse.If eligiblethiscanhelpinpayingfor travelbypublictransport,orsupport withpetrolexpenses,andlunch.The fullamountisbasedonindividual needandcircumstance,whichwillbe assessedatthestartofthecourse. Speaktoamemberofstafftofindout howabursarycouldworkforyou.

WhoisGAPSfor?

Youmustbeagedbetween16–18years

Oragedbetween16–24yearsandhaveacurrent Educational,health&careplan(EHCP)

Youmustbeabletoprovidevalididentificationprior toenrolment(passport/birthcertificate)

Noformalqualificationsarerequiredaswewillassess leveloflearningpriortoenrolmenttakinginto considerationpreviousqualificationachievements

WhatisaStudy Programme?

AtTCHC,yourstudy programmewillbe individualandtailormade tofityourspecificneeds.

Yourprogrammewillbeup to38weeksdependingon yourstartdateandthedays youattendthecentrewillbe confirmeduponenrolment.

Participatinginastudy programmecangreatly enhanceyourfutureby equippingyouwithessential skillsandexperiences.

DuringyourtimeatGAPSwewill helpyouexplorecareerpaths throughworkplacementsand guideyouonhowtogetthere.

Vocational Aim

Youwillachieveanationally recognisedqualificationinthe subjectofyourchoice.

Functional SkillsMaths &English

MathsandEnglishareessential skillsrequiredbyemployers.

Personal Development &WorkSkills

Youwillbegivenextrasupportto helpyouprogressinlife.

Work

Experience

Youwillhavetheopportunityto goonworkexperienceandgain skillsreadyforwork.

Whatisavocationalcourse?

Avocationalcourseisatrainingprogrammethat focusesmoreonpracticalwork,ratherthantraditional academicexams.

AtDunstableGAPS,weofferthefollowing vocationalcourses:

Ourdedicatedstaffarecommittedtoequippingyou withtheessentialskillsneededtoachieveyour qualificationsandexcelinyourcareerandfuture.

Business&Retail

Award/Certificate/DiplomainBusiness& Retail-EntryLevel3andLevel1

Certificate/DiplomainBusiness Administration -Level2

Thisprogrammeistailoredtowardsteachingtheskillsand knowledgerequiredtoapplyandprogressintobusiness andretailopportunities.

Thecoursewillbedeliveredbothpracticallyandclassroom basedenablinglearnerstoexperiencerealopportunities andtaskswithintheindustry.

WHATWILLILEARN?

Communicationskillsforwork

Workinginretail

Handlingstockinaretailenvironment

Handlingtelephonecalls

Healthandsafetyintheworkplace

Understandinghowtoworkaspartofateaminretail

Customerserviceskills

Learningandunderstandingbusinessprocessesand systems

Exploringentrepreneurship

Applyingforajob

Coursetripsandevents

Guestspeakers

English&mathsFunctionalSkillsisincludedalongsidethis studyprogramme.

WHATJOBSCANYOUDO

BusinessAdministrator

MarketingAssistant

Salesperson

CustomerServiceAssistant

FinanceAssistant

Ifeelreallysupported andthelessonsare helpingmegetthe qualificationsIneed.

Construction

Level1Award/Certificate/Extended Certificate/DiplomainConstructionSkills

Thisprogrammeistailoredtowardsteaching theskillsandknowledgerequiredtoapply andprogressintoconstructionandtrade opportunities.

Thecoursewillbedeliveredbothpractically andclassroombasedenablinglearnersto experiencerealopportunitiesandtasks withintheindustry.

WhatwillIlearn?

Introductiontohealthandsafetyin construction

Constructinghalvingjoints

Paintingapaneldoor

Tilingaplainwall

Fixingarchitraveandskirting

Paintingandwallpapering

Paintingtechniques

Constructingangledhalvingjoints

Applyingwallpapertointernal& externalcornersandpaintingskirting

Constructingbridlejoints

Applyingdecorativeeffects

Constructinghousingjoints

Constructingthroughmortice&tenon joints

Constructingstubmortice&tenon joints

English&mathsFunctionalSkillsis includedalongsidethisstudyprogramme.

WHATJOBSCANYOUDO

Painter&Decorator,Carpenter,Tiler, Plasterer,Bricklayer,Plumber,Electrician, Surveyor,Labourer,Roofer,Scaffolder, ArchitectandCivilEngineer.

Painting&Decorating

Level2Certificate/AwardinPainting& Decorating

Thisprogrammeistailoredtowards teaching theskillsandknowledgerequiredtoapply andprogressintopaintinganddecorating.

Thecoursewillbedeliveredbothpractically andclassroombasedenablinglearnersto experiencerealopportunitiesandtasks withintheindustry.

WHATWILLILEARN?

Paintinganddecorating

Paintingapaneldoor

Introductiontohealthandsafetyin construction

Introductiontoconstructionindustry

English&mathsFunctionalSkillsisincluded alongsidethisstudyprogramme.

WHATJOBSCANYOUDO

Painter&Decorator,Carpenter,Tiler, Plasterer,Bricklayer,Plumber,Electrician, Surveyor,Labourer,Roofer,Scaffolder, ArchitectandCivilEngineer.

Health&Care

EntryLevel3toLevel2 Award/Certificate/Diplomain Health&Care

Thisprogrammeistailoredtowards teachingtheskillsandknowledgerequired toapplyandprogressintohealthandcare opportunities.

Thecoursewillbedeliveredbothpractically andclassroombasedenablinglearnersto experiencerealopportunitiesandtasks withintheindustry.

WHATWILLILEARN?

Learnaboutdifferentcareenvironments

Meetindustryprofessionals

Coursetripsandevents

Guestspeakers

Learncommunicationandteamwork skillsspecifictothecaresector

Identifypotentialcareersinthecare sector

Safeguardingwithincare

Typesofserviceswithinthecaresector

Howtosupportpatients/clients effectively

Recognisetheimportanceofhealthy eatingforpatients/clients

Supportinginhealth,socialcare, children’sandyoungpeople’ssettings

Infectionpreventionandcontrol

Introductiontomentalhealth

English&mathsFunctionalSkillsisincluded alongsidethisstudyprogramme.

WHATJOBSCANYOUDO

RegisteredNurse,SocialWorker,Child

ProtectiveServicesWorker,FamilySupport Worker,ResidentialCareWorker,Youth Worker,ChildcareWorkerandEarly ChildhoodEducator

IndependenceSkills

Level1CertificateinProgression

Thisprogrammeistailoredtowardsteaching theskillsandknowledgerequiredtoprogress intoadulthood

Thecoursewillbedeliveredbothpractically andclassroombasedenablinglearnersto experiencerealopportunitiesandtasks withintheindustry.

WHATWILLILEARN?

Personalbudgeting

Communicationandlanguagetechniques

Studyskills

Improvepersonalmannerandconduct

Healthyliving Personalskills

Traveltrainingandstreetsafety

Personalpresentation

Takepartincommunityprojects

Personalsafety

Managingproblems

Developingpersonalconfidence

Understandingassertiveness

Managingandcopingwithchange

Developingandmaintainingfriendships andrelationships

Decisionmaking

Developingresilienceskills

Exploringequalityanddiversity

English&mathsFunctionalSkillsisincluded alongsidethisstudyprogramme.

Functionalskillsprovide essentialknowledge,skills, andunderstandingthatwill enableyoutoconfidently, effectively,andindependently progressinlifeandwork.

AsaGAPslearner,youwill havetheopportunitytowork towardsachievingmathsand Englishqualificationswitha suitablyqualifiedtutor throughapersonalised learningplan.

Weuseapracticalapproach whenteachingmathsand English.Ourtutorswillhelpyou applywhatyouhavelearntto everydaytasksandproblems.

Personal Development &WorkSkills

Personal&social developmentsessions

Employabilityskills-CV buildingandinterview techniquesandtips

Independentliving

FundamentalBritishValues

Keepingsafeandhealthy

Workexperience opportunities

Mentalwellbeing

Engagingingroup activities

1-to-1IAGsupportand guidance

Work Experience

Whydoworkexperience?

Employersarealwayslookingfor learnerswhohavehadwork experience. Youwillhavetheopportunityto undertakeworkexperiencein differentformats:

Blockworkexperience

Extendedworkexperience Tasterdays

WhatwillIlearn?

Customerserviceand communicationskills

Commercialawarenessfor yourplaceofwork

Workingontasksand managingyourself

Teamwork

Timemanagement

Howtouseinitiative

Useoffunctionalskills

Acceptingresponsibility

WhatwillIgetoutofit?

Throughhavingapositiveworkexperienceyouwillbeableto usethisonyourCV;gainareferenceandhaveexperiencesto talkaboutininterviewsforemploymentorapprenticeships.

Ifavacancybecameavailableattheplacement,youcould applyiftheroleissuitable.

Yourexperiencewouldberelatedtowhatyourcareer aspirationsare,inrelationstoyourstudies.

MEANSBEINGINTHECENTREATLEAST 95%OFTHETIME...ORHAVINGNOMORE THAN10DAYSOFF!

DAYS ABSENCE

Moretimeinthe centremeans moretimetolearn, develop&grow!

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DAYS ABSENCE

19 29

DAYS ABSENCE

Lesstimeinthe centremeansless timetobecome theverybestyou!

DAYS ABSENCE

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Poor attendance meansless chances inlife!

DAYS ABSENCE

LearnerA

BACKGROUND

LearnerAwasreferredtoGAPSbyhispreviousschool.Hepreviouslyheldthe beliefthateducationwastediousandinvaluable.PriortojoiningGAPS,hehad achievedGCSEsinMathsandEnglishbuthadnotparticipatedinanywork experience.

SUPPORTFROMTCHC

AtGAPS,LearnerAhasstartedaconstructioncoursewhichhethoughtwas appropriateashewantstogointoconstructionafterhefinisheswith education.

SUPPORTFROMTCHC

LearnerAsayshehaslearntalotabouttheconstructionindustryandcannot waittocompletehiscourse.Hehasfeltmorecomfortablelearninginthe GAPSenvironmentandthetutorshavehelpedhimcommunicatewithothers moreeffectively.

BACKGROUND

LearnerBwasintroducedtoGAPSbyhisprevious school.Hedidn'tlikeeducationatschoolbecausehe didn'tgetthesupportherequired.LearnerBfeelsthat thereweretoomanypeopleintheclassrooms.

SUPPORTFROMTCHC

AtGAPSLearnerBfeelsthathewassupportedthrough 1-2-1sessions.

SUPPORTFROMTCHC

LearnerBisworkingtowardsqualificationsinboth EnglishandmathsandBusiness&Retail.Their confidencehasgrownandtheyfeelmorecomfortable speakingandworkingwithotherlearners.

“Iamwritingtoexpressmysinceregratitudefortheexceptional staffatGAPS.Astheparentofanautisticyoungpersonwhohas facedsignificantchallengesinhiseducationaljourney,Iam incrediblypleasedtoseethepositivetransformationheis experiencingsincejoiningthisprovision.Thededication, understanding,andunwaveringcommitmentshownbythe teamhavemadearemarkabledifferenceforhim.

TheholisticapproachatGAPS,issomethingtrulyspecial. Ibelieveitisremovingbarrierstolearningandofferingyoung peopleapathwaynotonlytoeducationalsuccessbutalsoto improvingtheirfamilywell-being.Iamconfidentthattheir approachwillcontinuetohaveaprofoundimpactonthelives oftheyoungpeopletheyserve.”

“ThestaffatGAPShavebeen amazinglysupportive, encouragingandempowering ourdaughtertosucceed! Theyhavebeenamazing! Wehaveourdaughterback!”

“It'sasafeenvironment thatunderstandsmy child’slearningneeds.”

“SinceAbbiejoinedGAPSher independenceandconfidence hasgrownbeyondwhatwe couldimagine.

Abbie’sfuturelooksfar brighter,andwecannotthank thestaffenoughforhelping herbelieveinherself.”

Q:HowdoIapplyforacourse?

A:Withintheprospectus,youwillseeyour optionsonpage2,orcallusandwewillhelp youthroughtheprocess.

Q:HowmanydaysaweekwillIattend?

A:Dependingonyourcourse,thiscouldbe3 or4daysaweek.

Q:Whathappensattheendofmycourse?

A:Yourtutorswillbesupportingyouthrough theyearwiththeIAGadviser.Theywillwork withyoutodevelopaprogressionplan throughtheyearsoyoucanseeyouroptions forwhenyourcoursefinishes.

Q:WherecanIgoforlunch?

A:Youhavetheoptiontoeatyourownlunch withinthecommunalareasoryoucanhave aseparateroom.Insomecases,lunchcan beprovided.Ifyouwanttobuylunchthere arelocalamenitiescloseby.

Q:CanIhaveapart-timejobandstill attendGAPS?

A:Whileonyourprogramme,youwillbeable toworkpart-timearoundyourprogramme days.

Q:Arethereanybursariesavailabletome?

A:Youmaybeeligibleforabursarywhilein education,thiswillenableyoutohave supportinthefollowingareas:travel,free lunchandclothingforinterviews.

Q:HowwillIbekeptinformedaboutmy youngperson 'sprogress?

A:Youwillalsobeabletodiscussyouryoung person 'sprogressatreviewsyouwillbe invitedtothroughouttheyear.

Q:Whatifmyyoungpersoncannotattend thecentre?

A:Callthecentreandspeakwiththecentre coordinator/centremanagerandinformthem withthereasonofabsence.

Youcanalsosendatextmessageoremailto informthefollowing:Nameandreasonfornot attending(centrecoordinator/administrator willfollowupwithacall).

Q:Whathappensifmyyoungpersonisbeing bulliedorharassed?

A:Thecentrewillnottoleratebullyingor harassment.Learnersshouldinformtheir personaltutor,safeguardingchampionorthe centremanager.

Youcanemaildunstable.gaps@tchc.netor safeguarding@tchc.net

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