Choices, through the Learning Partnership West Independent School, offers alternative education provision that complements formal school learning for KS3 and KS4 students across the West of England.
The LPW Independent School programme is designed to complement the formal school learning of Year 11 students who have less than 40% overall attendance in Year 10 or less than 20% during Terms 5 and 6. Our experienced staff identify and support young people who are at the risk of exclusion, helping them to overcome barriers, develop social and academic skills and build their confidence for the future.
We aim to increase and support:
- Confidence
- Employability skills
- Motivation
- Access to accreditation
- Progress to post-16 provision
As well as poor school attendance, students are likely to have other complex needs and risk factors in their lives, such as poor numeracy and literacy levels, anti-social or criminal behaviour, high internal truancy, substance misuse, offending, homelessness or mental health issues.
Choices is also suitable for young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (unless specialist support is required) including Asperger's syndrome, autism (mild) and moderate learning difficulties (mild).
The programme can be tailored to meet the specific needs of every young person or referring agency. It varies from part-time to full-time, one-to-one or group sessions and specialist workshops. Each group will also benefit from access to positive activities outside of the school day.
We split the young people into small groups led by Engagement Workers and supported by a Functional Skills Tutor and Personal Adviser for post-16 progression.
Held in youth centres, community settings, City Learning Centres and Connexions Centre, those on the programme will take part in:
– Functional literacy and numeracy
– ICT
– CoPE
– Wider key and employability skills
– PHSE
– Volunteering and work experience
Achievements
Please click below to find out about our latest achievements:
Statement of Special Educational Needs
For statemented students, the programme has to fit the needs stated in the Annual Review. The referring school must provide support for any additional needs. The student remains on the referring school's roll and their SEN Coordinator retains responsibility for convening of meetings, to which LPW will contribute.
Naomi's Story
Naomi was referred to Choices by her school because of high internal truancy. Although her anger and attitude initially needed to be regularly challenged, she started to find it easier to re-engage after a cooling-down period. She found the programme's smaller groups much easier to engage with and the non-classroom setting also suited her learning style. Naomi engaged very well with project-based practical work and her social skills and general self-confidence greatly improved.
Naomi says that her positive relationship with the Choices staff helped her succeed and gain the qualifications she needed to follow a college course in animal care. She has a more mature attitude to studying and her future and is now doing very well following mainstream college provision independently.
School Information
Chair of the Board: John Savage
Address: LPW, 4 Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST
Head Teacher: Christopher Cross
Contact Number: 0117 907 4417
Teaching takes place at the Mill Youth Centre
Address: Lower Ashley Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5 0YJ
Choices Policies
Please click the relevant link below to see each of our Choices policies:
Bristol Sex and Relationships Policy and Practice Guidelines
Complaints Policy - No complaints have currently been received for Choices
Registered office: 4 Colston Avenue BS1 4ST. Company Number 2911928.