The Foothold Alternative Curriculum Education (FACE)
Project
“Work experience has been so good; I even went when it was half-term!” Andrew, age 14
“Learning has been fun on the project. We have done real things like learning to run a tuck-shop as a business.” Liam, age 15
What is the FACE project?
The Foothold Alternative Curriculum Education (FACE) project is a partnership between The Foothold Group and the five comprehensive schools in Llanelli.
Who is it for?
The project is for young people aged 14-16 who find it hard to learn at school and are at risk of underachieving, or even exclusion. The project can only take young people through a process of referral by the participating Llanelli schools.
What does the project do?
The project re-engages young people with education by making it relevant to them, meeting their needs and matching their interests. Young people are able to follow a tailored programme at their own pace, delivered in an informal atmosphere.
How does it work?
At the Foothold Centre young people are able to develop a range of basic, social and life skills for part of the week as they work towards a variety of vocational and/or academic qualifications.
Participation in a community enterprise activity once a week, and a work experience placement for two days a week helps them to find out what working life is really like, and enables them make informed choices about their future. It also provides an opportunity to gain nationally recognised qualifications.
Why does it work?
For the time they spend at the Foothold Centre, the young people remain in one location, supported by a small number of experienced, qualified staff.
Working in small groups, in a relaxed, non-pressured environment, encourages young people to engage with their learning, and develop an attitude of participation. This attitude is central to getting them onto a pathway to success and achievement.
What can the young people achieve?
A range of nationally recognised qualifications that might include:
• GCSEs
• Entry level certificates
• Key skills awards
• Open College Network (OCN) qualifications
• First Aid certificates
• Prince’s trust/Duke of Edinburgh awards
A range of equally important, less formal outcomes include raising self-esteem, building confidence and social skills, peer-group acceptance and developing business awareness.
