Birkheads Wild CIO

About

Birkhead Wild CIO offer a range of activities including: 

• forest school activities
  • firelighting
  • tool and knife use
  • arts and crafts
  • natural science/nature based activities 
• bike maintenance and cycling 
• growing fruit and vegetables 
• site maintenance and gardening 
• animal care (hens and goats) 
• 1:1 tutoring in Maths and English (Functional Skills and GCSE) 

The provision is specialist and personalised to every young person who attends. They particularly support young people who have experienced trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences, or who have ADHD and/or Autism, or who are Care Experienced and who struggle in a classroom. 

The 1:1 alternative education provision suits those young people who have struggled/been excluded from small group alternative provision or those for whom small groups are difficult. We also welcome support workers/care team members to attend the provision where needed or until young people feel safe in our setting. 

Birkheads Wild are flexible and personalised and make reasonable adjustments for each young person who attends based on their needs. 

Some aspects of the site are not fully accessible for wheelchair users currently such as two small steps up to the composting toilet. 

Suitable ages ranges 

Birkheads Wild can accept children from ages 5 to 18 years old. 

Qualifications available 

Birkheads Wild CIO are an AQA Unit Award Centre and deliver unit award certificates in all areas of our provision.

Our tutor offers 1:1 support in English and Maths (Functional Skills and GCSE). 

Over 14's have an opportunity to link in to our Duke of Edinburgh's Award Programme which is aimed at young people who would not be able to access this Award in a school setting. 

About the teaching

All training is carried out at Birkheads Wild at the following address:

1 Birkheads, 

Near Marley Hill

NE16 5EL 

Students can attend from locations across the North East but mainly Gateshead.  

Teaching is delivered typically in groups of 4-6 depending on needs but usually begins as 1 to 1 in order to assess needs. 

The provision is open from 9am - 4pm. Students can attend a minimum of 2 hours per week up to a maximum of 15 hours. Usually each young person completed 4 to 8 hours per week. Birkheads typically offer 2 to 3 hour timetable blocks (half days) to best suit the needs of the students however full days from 9.30am to 2.30pm are available. 

Transport is not provided. 

Birkheads Wild are able to provide urgent placements usually within 2 to 3 weeks of referral. 

The length of programme can be adapted to what is required for each student. 

Pricing 

Costs are £50 per hour. 

Refreshments/meals are included in the cost. 

How to apply for a place for a student

1. email a referral request through and arrange a phone call to discuss specific needs
2. provide relevant paperwork 
3. site visit for young person and relevant carers/support workers  
4. initial assessment session for the young person  
5. young person allocated a space on the weekly timetable for a 6 week block initially - then review

Priority is given to vulnerable young people with an EHCP who are care experienced. 

Contact with schools 

Once a student has began their training, Birkheads Wild will contact the school through whichever system is used to confirm attendance. 

They will also provide regular feedback as needed but at minimum they provide a weekly short report and an annual review. 

Other relevant information 

Ofsted registered 

N/A 

Insurance 

Birkheads Wild have current public liability cover and insurance certificates are displayed. 

They also have current employee liability cover. 

Safeguarding 

Birkheads Wild have a compliant safeguarding policy in place which is reviewed yearly. 

Pre-employment checks are carried out in line with guidance. 

The provision has a three designated safeguarding leads and there is regular training for all staff at the provision. 

Health and safety 

Birkheads Wild have a health and safety policy in place.

They have full risk assessment for the premises and carry out regular fire drills. 

They have all required first aid equipment in place in line with RIDDOR procedures (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013). 

Data protection

They have a data retention policy in place which is reviewed regularly and a privacy notice in place that explains how they collect, use and protect people's personal data. 

Compliments and complaints 

There is a compliments and complaints policy and procedure in place.