Ipswich GAPS - Prospectus 2025/26

Page 1


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

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