Howtoapply
AboutTCHC
Howwesupportyou OFSTED
FinancialSupport&Bursaries
Entryrequirementsandeligibility
Whatisastudyprogramme?
Vocationalcourses
Business&Retail
SkillsforLife
Construction
FunctionalSkillsEnglishandmaths
Personaldevelopment&workskills
Workexperience
Attendance
Learnercasestudies
Wordsfromparents/carers
FAQsforlearners
FAQsforparents/carers
Contactdetails
Pursuingexcellence
Openness
Supportingeachother
Instillingconfidence
Transformationalleadership
Inspirational
Valuingdiversity
Empoweringothers
WhoareTCHC?
TCHCisanOfstedGoodproviderwhohavesupportedlocal communitiesacrossBedfordshire,Cambridgeshire,Essex, Hertfordshire,PeterboroughandSuffolkfor20years.Wehave helpedover500,000learnersprogressintobetteropportunities.
TCHCsGAPScentresgiveaccesstoavarietyofstudy programmestosupportentryintofurthereducationandwork. Ourcentresprovideanurturingandsupportiveapproachto learning,allowingourlearnerstoachievetheirbest.
TCHCprovidefullyinclusiveeducationensuringalllearning needsaremetusingadiverserangeofteachingandlearning resourcesandapproaches.AtourGAPScentres,youwillfinda calm,positiveculturewhichencouragessuccessforall individualswhoattend.
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 focusesmoreonportfoliobasedworkratherthan traditionalacademicexams.
AtPeterboroughGAPS,weofferthefollowing vocationalcourses:
Business&Retail SkillsforLife Construction
Ourdedicatedstaffarecommittedtoequippingyou withtheessentialskillsneededtoachieveyour qualificationsandexcelinyourcareerandfuture.
Business&Retail
Award/CertificateinBusiness&RetailEntryLevel3andLevel1
Thisprogrammeistailoredtowards teachingtheskillsandknowledgerequired toapplyandprogressintobusinessand retailopportunities.
Thecoursewillbedeliveredbothpractically andclassroombasedenablinglearnersto experiencerealopportunitiesandtasks withintheindustry.
WHATWILLILEARN?
Communicationskillsforwork
Workinginretail
Handlingstockinaretailenvironment
Handlingtelephonecalls
Healthandsafetyintheworkplace
Understandinghowtoworkaspartofa teaminretail
Customerserviceskills
Learningandunderstandingbusiness processesandsystems
Exploringentrepreneurship
Applyingforajob
Coursetripsandevents
Guestspeakers
English&mathsFunctionalSkills,workskills, personalsocialdevelopmentandwork experienceareincludedalongsidethis studyprogramme.
WHATJOBSCANYOUDO
BusinessAdministrator
MarketingAssistant
Salesperson
CustomerServiceAssistant
FinanceAssistant
SkillsforLife
SkillsforIndependentLivingCertificateandExtendedCertificate EntryLevel1toLevel1
Thisprogrammeistailoredtowards teachingtheskillsandknowledge requiredtoprogressintoadulthood.
Thecoursewillbedeliveredbothpractically andclassroombasedenablinglearnersto experiencerealopportunitiesandtasks withintheindustry.
WHATWILLILEARN?
Startingoutonanewlearning experience
Knowinghowyoulearn
Identifyingownstartingpoint
Followinginstructions
Beingpartofagroup
Understandingrelationships
Contributingtothecommunity
Handlingmoney
Personalsafety
Healthyeating
Usingsocialandleisurefacilities
English&mathsFunctionalSkills,workskills, personalsocialdevelopmentandwork experienceareincludedalongsidethis studyprogramme
WHATJOBSCANYOUDO
Thiscoursewillhelpyoubuildskillsand gaintheconfidencetomakedecisions aboutyournextsteps.
Ifeelreallysupportedandthe lessonsarehelpingmegetthe qualificationsIneed.
Thisprogrammeistailoredtowardsteachingtheskillsandknowledge requiredtoprogressintoconstructionopportunities.
Thecoursewillbedeliveredbothpracticallyandclassroombasedenabling learnerstoexperiencerealopportunitiesandtaskswithintheindustry.
Level1AwardinConstructionSkills
WHATWILLILEARN?
Bricklaying Carpentry
Paintinganddecorating Tiling
Constructionoperations
Level1Certificate/DiplomainConstructionSkills
WHATWILLILEARN?
Technicalbricklayingskills
Technicalcarpentry
Technicalpaintinganddecoratingskills
Layingpavingslabsandblockpaving
Introductiontoplumbing
Introductiontoplastering
Health&safetywithinaconstruction environment
English&mathsFunctionalSkillsisincluded alongsidethisstudyprogramme
WHATJOBSCANYOUDO
Painter&Decorator,Carpenter,Tiler,Plasterer,Bricklayer,Plumber,Electrician, Surveyor,Labourer,Roofer,Scaffolder,ArchitectandCivilEngineer.
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!
10
DAYS ABSENCE
19 29
DAYS ABSENCE
Lesstimeinthe centremeansless timetobecome theverybestyou!
DAYS ABSENCE
38 47
DAYS ABSENCE
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.
Youcanemailpeterborough.gaps@tchc.net orsafeguarding@tchc.net
www.tchc.net