Chopwell Regeneration Group (CRG)

About

CRG is able to support young people aged 9-16 to engage in vocational education focussed on hospitality and catering and customer service, learning all aspects of café business operations and running a community market for and with the community at The Bank, Chopwell. 

With 1-2-1 support from a learning support staff member and working with the CRG café team, learning will take place through shadowing, practical tasks, training and AQA programmes as appropriate for each young person. Activities will include opportunities to develop social and communication skills through interactions with staff, customers and volunteers and many opportunities to build confidence through experiences and achievements. Maths and English are embedded in all activities.

They offer a tailored programme for each child which can include accredited certificates such as Working in a Cafe, Introduction to Customer Service, Food Safety and Health & Safety.  

CRG runs a learning programme to support wider skills development such as coding, allotment gardening and cookery and these opportunities will also be available to young people engaged with them.

CRG is registered as an AQA Education Centre to deliver the AQA Unit Award Scheme (UAS). UAS is a flexible accreditation scheme which recognises skills and helps students of all ages and abilities to progress to further study, training, work and independent living. 

As part of the existing learning programme CRG deliver activities with children and young people including cookery workshops, weekly coding club, school holiday sessions including music workshops and art activities. All of these activities have included additional support and provision for SEND children and young people.

Suitable ages ranges 

CRG accept children from ages 9 to 15 years old.

Qualifications available

Children can gain AQA UAS entry level, level 1 and level 2 qualifications. Example units include:

• working in a café
• introduction to customer service
• introduction to food safety 
• health and safety in a café
• making a panini
• basic barista skills (with support)
• introduction to enterprise 
• employability skills: english 
• employability skills: maths 

About the teaching

Learning mostly takes place at The Bank, Chopwell but may also include other CRG projects as appropriate. These include the community allotment and The Regeneration Shop (repair shop). 

Students can attend from locations including Gateshead. 

Teaching is delivered with a ratio of 1 teacher to 1 student. 

The provision is open from 9.30am to 3.30pm. Students can attend for between 6-18 hours per week, between 1 and 4 days. 

Transport is not provided. 

CRG are able to provide urgent placements. 

The length of programme can be run from 12 to 40 weeks. 

Pricing 

Cost for sessions are as follows:

• £250 per full day
• £50 per hour

CRG can provide lunch for £5 per day. 

How to apply for a place for a student

You can make initial contact by email or phone and then arrange a visit to discuss suitability. 

Contact with schools 

Once a student has began their training, they will contact schools by email as necessary to confirm attendance/non-attendance. 

CRG will also provide regular feedback along side a feedback report each half term for each student. 

Other relevant information 

Ofsted registered 

N/A 

Insurance 

CRG have current public liability cover and insurance certificates are displayed. 

They also have current employee liability cover. 

Safeguarding 

CRG 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 designated safeguarding lead and there is regular training for all staff at the provision. 

Health and safety 

CRG have a health and safety policy in place.

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

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

CRG have a data retention policy in place which is reviewed regularly. 

They have 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.