A Norwood programme which support students with additional educational needs to develop key employment skills, has been highly praised following a recent external review.
The Edexcel BTEC Workskills qualification offered by Binoh, the Charity’s specialist education and therapy service, helps young people with learning difficulties to prepare for employment and working life. Following a successful pilot last year, seven sixth-form students from Jewish secondary schools, and one recent graduate, are currently benefiting from the programme. Its successful introduction highlights Norwood’s increasing focus on the provision of ‘transition’ services to young people between the ages of 16 and 25.
The BTEC aims to provide a varied educational, vocational and life skills programme that helps students prepare for the workplace, further education or both. Under the qualification, Binoh staff work closely with colleagues at Norwood’s WorkHub, in Stanmore, to offer a work taster scheme that provides exposure to different to different work environments. Support is also provided by Norwood’s Transition Social Worker.
The programme underwent a thorough quality review during a visit by exam board Edexcel last month. A subsequent report stated that the extent of planning and staff involvement was ‘excellent’ and this has led to ‘good development’ of the programme.
"It was heartening to understand just how much time the staff had devoted to the development of the Workskills qualifications and the successful implementation and teaching on the programme,” added the report. "The ambiance of the environment [at Binoh] is conducive to a focussed, happy working environment and indeed this was seen in action today."
Gerald Lebrett, Head of Binoh, welcomed Edexcel’s findings. “This review bears testament to the hard work of Binoh staff, who have established a scheme that is already making an incredible difference to the lives of young people with learning difficulties,” he said. “It also shows how partnerships between schools and organisations like Norwood can lead to increased opportunities for young people and help them plan for a better future.”
The Edexcel review comes as a recent report commissioned by the Department for Education recommends a radical shake-up of vocational education in England. Hundreds of thousands of young people are doing vocational courses which do not lead to university or a job, according to the study by Professor Alison Wolf.
“As Professor Wolf’s study suggests, the importance of the BTEC Workskills qualification offered by Binoh lies in its focus on providing the support and opportunities that young people with additional educational needs require to improve their chances of future employment and, crucially, fulfil their potential,” added Gerald Lebrett.
For more information about the BTEC Workskills qualification offered by Binoh, contact 020 8457 4457 or Binoh@norwood.org.uk
