Contents
Howtoapply
AboutTCHC
Howwesupportyou OFSTED
FinancialSupport&Bursaries
Entryrequirementsandeligibility
Whatisastudyprogramme?
Vocationalcourses
Business&Retail
Childcare Construction
Painting&Decorating
EmployabilitySkills
FunctionalSkillsEnglishandmaths
Personaldevelopment&workskills
Workexperience
Attendance
Learnercasestudies
Wordsfromparents/carers
FAQsforlearners
FAQsforparents/carers
Contactdetails
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.
HOWWE SUPPORTYOU HOWWE SUPPORTYOU
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 16-18and16-24
WhatisaStudy Programme?
AtTCHC,yourstudy programmewillbe individualandtailormade tofityourspecificneeds. Yourprogrammewillbeup to38weeksdependingon yourstartdateandthedays youattendthecentrewillbe confirmeduponenrolment.
Participatinginastudy programmecangreatly enhanceyourfutureby equippingyouwithessential skillsandexperiences.
DuringyourtimeatGAPSwewill helpyouexplorecareerpaths throughworkplacementsand guideyouonhowtogetthere.
1. Vocational Aim
Youwillachieveanationally recognisedqualificationinthe subjectofyourchoice.
2. Functional SkillsMaths &English
MathsandEnglishareessential skillsrequiredbyemployers.
3. Personal Development &WorkSkills
Youwillbegivenextrasupportto helpyouprogressinlife.
4.
Work Experience
Youwillhavetheopportunityto goonworkexperienceandgain skillsreadyforwork.
SSTART TART YYOUR OUR JJOURNEY OURNEY
Whatisavocationalcourse?
Avocationalcourseisatrainingprogrammethat focusesmoreonpracticalwork,ratherthantraditional academicexams.
AtIpswichGAPS,weofferthefollowing vocationalcourses:
Business&Retail
Ourdedicatedstaffarecommittedtoequippingyou withtheessentialskillsneededtoachieveyour qualificationsandexcelinyourcareerandfuture.
Business&Retail
Level1CertificateinBusiness&Retail
Thisprogrammeistailoredtowards teachingtheskillsandknowledgerequired toapplyandprogressintobusinessand retailopportunities.
Thecoursewillbedeliveredbothpractically andclassroombasedenablinglearnersto experiencerealopportunitiesandtasks withintheindustry.
WHATWILLILEARN?
Communicationskillsforwork
Workinginretail
Handlingstockinaretailenvironment
Handlingtelephonecalls
Healthandsafetyintheworkplace
Understandinghowtoworkaspartofa teaminretail
Customerserviceskills
Learningandunderstandingbusiness processesandsystems
Exploringentrepreneurship
Applyingforajob
Coursetripsandevents
Guestspeakers
English&mathsFunctionalSkillsisincluded alongsidethisstudyprogramme.
WHATJOBSCANYOUDO
BusinessAdministrator
MarketingAssistant
Salesperson
CustomerServiceAssistant
FinanceAssistant
Ch
Level1C
Thisprog teaching toapply earlyyea
Thecour andclas experien withinth
WHATW
Com
Work Craft
Enco
healt
Grow child
Healt Introd babie
Prepa
English& alongsid
WHATJO
Nursery
Childcar
Nursery
EarlyCh Specialis FamilyS
Nanny SpecialE
Construction Construction Skills Skills
Level1
Level1Certificate/DiplomainConstructionSkills
Thisprogrammeistailoredtowardsteaching theskillsandknowledgerequiredtoapplyandprogressinto constructionandtradeopportunities.
Thecoursewillbedeliveredbothpracticallyandclassroom basedenablinglearnerstoexperiencerealopportunitiesand taskswithintheindustry.
WHATWILLILEARN?
Halvingjoints(woodwork)
Drain,remove&replaceradiators
Installingguttering
Paintinganddecorating
Paintingapaneldoor
Wiringringmainplugs
Connectingappliances
Introductiontohealthandsafetyin construction
Introductiontoconstructionindustry
English&mathsFunctionalSkillsisincluded alongsidethisstudyprogramme.
WHATJOBSCANYOUDO
Painter&Decorator,Carpenter,Tiler,Plasterer, Bricklayer,Plumber,Electrician,Surveyor,Labourer, Roofer,Scaffolder,Architect,CivilEngineer
Painting&Decorating
Level2DiplomainPainting&Decorating
Thisprogrammeistailoredtowards teachingtheskillsandknowledgerequired toapplyandprogressintopaintingand decorating.
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
Architect
CivilEngineer.
EmployabilitySkills
Level1CertificateinEmployabilitySkills
Thisprogrammeistailoredtowards teachingtheskillsandknowledgerequired toapplyandprogressintoreal-lifework opportunities.
Thecoursewillbed andclassroombas experiencerealopp withintheindustry.
WHATWILLILEARN
Transferableski independence
Whatindustries localarea(care Communityent (teamwork)
Haveopportuni Haveopportuni experience
Whatcoursesa WhatApprentic apply
Howtocomplet Developandwo CVbuilding Digitalskills Customerservic Communication Resilience Timemanagement
English&mathsFunctionalSkillsisincluded alongsidethisstudyprogramme.
FFUNCTIONAL UNCTIONAL SSKILLS KILLS
English&maths
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!
Moretimeinthe centremeans moretimetolearn, develop&grow!
DAYS ABSENCE
DAYS ABSENCE DAYS ABSENCE
Lesstimeinthe centremeansless timetobecome theverybestyou! Poor attendance meansless chances inlife!
DAYS ABSENCE 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.
LLEARNERCASE EARNERCASE STUDIES STUDIES
LearnerB
WORDSFROM WORDSFROM PARENTS/CARERS PARENTS/CARERS
“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.”
FAQs FORLEARNERS
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.
Youcanemailipswich.gaps@tchc.netor safeguarding@tchc.net