Key Stage 4 Engagement Programme

The Key Stage 4 Engagement Programme (KS4EP) is a national programme which aims to reduce the numbers of students leaving school with no positive progression route. In Brighton and Hove the programme is in its 2nd year and focuses on those students most at risk of disengagement from education. This includes a diverse range of underachieving learners, whose own behaviours or circumstances are a barrier to learning. They range from potentially able students to those who have learning difficulties. 

The students are at key stage 4 (years 10 & 11) and may be on roll at a mainstream school, special school, missing from education or home educated and some may be known to specialist agencies such as the Youth Offending Team, Children in Care team and Educated other than at School team. All are at risk at becoming NEET (Not in Employment Education or Training) when they reach the current compulsory school leaving age of 16.

The programme recognises that one of the biggest barriers to learning is often a lack of interpersonal or social skills. The KS4EP is effective because it centres on building confidence and self-esteem. It offers a positive learning opportunity alongside regular high quality support, advice and guidance from a trusted adult (school key worker, school-based Connexions PA, Intensive PA or member of staff on the KS4EP course). 

Each course within the programme offers an element of embedded functional maths, English and ICT, personal and social development and work-related learning. The programme works in conjunction with the KS4 curriculum at school offering students a comprehensive package of education.

The current KS4EP in Brighton & Hove is made up of 3 different programmes:

Programme

Entry Point

Days/wk

Duration

Focus

Eligibility

A

Year 10

- Sept

- Oct half term

1

5 terms over 2 years

Vocational

4 of core criteria plus potential E3 / L1 achiever, would benefit from small group work and/or needs focus on vocational skills

 

B

 

 

 

 

Year 11

- Sept

- Oct half term

2

2 terms over 1 year

Vocational

4 of core criteria plus potential E3 / L1 achiever, would benefit from small group work and/or needs focus on vocational skills

 

C

Year 10 & 11

- every 6 weeks

2

12 weeks

 

Personal & Social Development

4 of core criteria plus on a reduced timetable / within inclusion unit, achieving at E1/2/3/L1, would benefit from small group work and/or needs focus on PSD to progress.

 

Both programmes A & B have a clearly identified progression route into Education Employment or Training from each of the subject areas of Creative and Media; Motor Vehicle; Sport, Outdoor Pursuits and Leadership and Customer Service, whilst programme C anticipates a progression route back into school or other alternative education provision.

There is a link through to the national KS4 Engagement Programme: http://www.qca.org.uk/14-19/11-16-schools/110_2474.htm

For further information please contact Kirsten Trussell: kirsten.trussell@brighton-hove.gov.uk or 01273 294921