Vega College and The Big Picture Referral Opportunities - read on for all the details.

Vega College

Vega College provide a unique and supportive alternative education provision tailored to meet the needs of students struggling in mainstream school environments.

The program combines three days of bespoke education with engaging work-related activities, while students attend their mainstream school on the remaining days. This hybrid approach ensures a well-rounded educational experience that prioritises both academic achievement and practical skills. Vega College specialises in offering GCSE qualifications in core subjects, alongside additional vocational and non-accredited courses, specifically designed for students who face challenges in larger school settings.

The innovative model addresses the needs of vulnerable learners in Doncaster by focusing on the essential skills and qualifications necessary for employment and further education opportunities, creating substantial 'social value' by connecting students with broader opportunities, such as apprenticeships and pastoral support across the city.

The program collaborates with employers, skill providers, mentoring specialists, and schools to incorporate a robust 'work-based' element, enhancing the practical and theoretical aspects of the curriculum.

Unique Selling Points:

• Work Placements: Real-world experience through partnerships with local employers.
• Personalised Education: Differentiated and bespoke educational plans tailored to each student’s needs.
• Accredited Courses: AQA credits offered across all courses.
• Diverse Curriculum: ASDAN short courses customised to individual students’ interests and goals.
• Supportive Environment: High staff-to-student ratio ensuring personalised attention.
• Qualified Staff: All staff members are accredited Mental Health First Aiders.
• Core Focus: Intensive support in Maths, English, and Science GCSEs.
• Holistic Learning: 1:1 focused work combined with independent and group learning activities.
• Future Pathways: Preparation and guidance for Post-16 placements. Available Qualifications:
• ASDAN Short Courses: Tailored to suit individual learning needs.
• AQA Credits: Recognised across various learning areas and future employment pathways.
• Skills Builder: Life and work skills essential for personal and professional growth.
• Integrated GCSE Support: Collaborative delivery of Maths, English, and Science GCSEs with mainstream schools.
• Examination Coordination: GCSE exams conducted through mainstream school settings.
• Practical Experience: Comprehensive workplace experience to enhance employability.

Vega College offers a nurturing and structured environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, ensuring they are well-equipped for future success. Join us in creating a brighter future for our students through innovative education and invaluable work experiences.

Big Picture Learning

Big Picture Doncaster is commissioned by the City of Doncaster Council as part of the early intervention strategy. The focus of the provision is supporting young people who struggle with the challenges of transitioning to secondary school, or maintaining a successful position in mainstream education, with the aim of ensuring they can remain without the need for further, more complex intervention at a later stage, and crucially before they are disillusioned and distanced from school.

As well as learners that are beginning to struggle with behavioural expectations, Big Picture also has a strong success rate with learners returning to school or adjusting to secondary school with a personal and social focus which includes behaviour, anxiety, friendships, decision making etc.

Currently Big Picture has a success rate of over 90% of learners deemed to have made progress under local authority QA processes. Schools with a close working relationship are complimentary about the support offered, the level of intervention and involvement in ensuring integrated work, as well as the impact on young people going on well beyond the end of a placement.

How to make a referral

From September Big Picture Doncaster will be offering 24 places for years 7 and 8 students, and 24 places for learners in years 4 and 5 on a termly basis. These will be 12 week placements for two and a half days a week with further support offered for up to 6 weeks following reintegration. The offer will be further supplemented with 80 outreach places to support year 6 children with transition from Spring 2025.

Outreach support will be through weekly sessions delivered on a one to one basis and, as with on site placements, will follow a bespoke programme for each learner. Referrals will be taken in the preceding half term to the placement, and referrals for both Key Stage 2 and 3 offers for Autumn 2025 are now open.

These should be submitted via the Inclusion Panel for identification and allocation. With immediate effect schools can direct any referrals for these two provisions to triage using the standard panel referral form which can be found on the Doncaster council website and sent to - bits@doncaster.gov.uk

Q&A

What is the cost to schools for Big Picture/Vega provision? – there will be no costs to school.

What is the referral pathway for Big Picture/Vega provision? – this is a simple referral through to Inclusion Panel Triage Will my referral be accepted – all referrals will be logged and passed directly to the provider for processing, Big Picture have termly admissions, Vega take referrals throughout the term.

 

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