Shelley Morris – Headteacher

1. Shelley Morris – Headteacher Claire Arnold – 2015 Inspire Learner of the year. Class Teacher at Priory Learning Centre.

2. Monkton School is unique • 56% of children are entitled to free school meals • 40% of children have additional learning needs • There are two additional learning needs units • 30% of children are Gypsy/Traveller • Gypsy Traveller unit for secondary pupils

3. The Impact of Deprivation on Children • Underachievement • Lack of self esteem • Lack of aspiration Despite various interventions in school, some children failed to reach their full potential.

4. Barriers • Many parents had a bad experience with learning • Could have pre school children at home so not able to engage in courses • Low skills/literacy & numeracy so no/low confidence/self esteem • Teachers seen as authority figures and possibly unapproachable • Poor social skills • Lack of motivation and ambition • Family difficulties • Drug/alcohol abuse • Long periods of unemployment/ 3rd generation benefits

5. Our Vision A Learning Community • An inclusive school environment • Opportunities and Second Chances • Community Education for All • Directly targeting deprivation.

6. The Solution Launch

7. Launch’s Mission Statement Launch learning provides adult education in the community of Monkton. Accredited and non-accredited courses are available and designed to remove barriers so that people in the community gain the confidence and skills to find employment. Community learning, in the community, for the community.

8. We Needed to Address • Lone parents 49% of whom are under 30 • Engage Gypsy Traveller adults • Flying Start parents with courses to help them back into employment when they are due to come off income support when their children reach 5 years of age • Crèche facilities, as there are often no extended family support • Venues in the community to address the transport issues • Courses to address the low numeracy and literacy levels • The right person coordinating the project in the community.

9. Partnership working It is crucial to build up excellent links with other organisations and part of the success of the project is down to this. Some of the organisations are:

10. The courses the parents wanted A mixture of accredited & non accredited

11. Courses now offered • Foundation Degree & BA degree offered through Trinity St Davids but held at Monkton School • CCNSG Site Safety Passport (Refinery Site Safety) • GCSE’s • Basic Skills • Food Hygiene (Level 2 & 3) • CSCS Card (Construction Site Safety) • Hook courses still offered e.g. Hair & Beauty, Sewing, card making etc.. Some of these we now offer accreditation • Family Learning • First Aid • Computer courses, including ECDL, offered through Learning Pembrokeshire

12. Successes • Site safety would normally cost the individual £170+. The Site safety & CSCS courses have led to at least 14 participants securing local jobs on refinery or construction sites this year. • A hook course lead to 8 Gypsy/Traveller women requesting literacy classes. • 4 year groups now studying for a degree. 69 students studying for a Foundation Degree in Education and Social Inclusion and 17 Students have just completed aa BA degree in Education and Social inclusion. • FREE Crèche facilities provided which has meant that many of our Parents are now enrolled on the foundation degree • Crèche workers also developing their skills with NVQ’s in childcare available within the school

13. Thank You, Any Questions?