AN ALTERNATIVE curriculum for students who are unable to engage with mainstream education is set to launch in Torfaen at the end of the month.

The Aspire Academy will be situated at the Cwmbran Centre for Young People (CCYP) after it received a grant of £5,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.

The aim of the programme is to work in partnership with primary and secondary schools and other organisations in the borough for young people aged between seven and 16 with vocational courses.

Students will start the alternative education courses from Monday, September 4.

Josh Horgan, who will be heading up the Aspire Academy, said: “The vocational qualifications that the young people will complete will all be based around literacy and numeracy skills.

“Also, themes such as healthy living, personal identity, managing relationships, enterprise and employability. All young people who will access the academy will be working towards recognised qualifications, preparation for exams and also using the time to work on course work.

“All of this will be completed in an informal setting with intense support from key workers.”

The new programme will launch in Cwmbran on Wednesday, August 30 and those attending will receive the support of qualified youth workers at the pupil’s convenience.

“The academy will be taking place during school term, from 9am until 3pm. The timetables are designed around the needs of the individual,” said Mr Horgan.

“The young people who access the academy can also access the centre during the evenings as we are open for our youth work provisions.

“Therefore, young people can still get support from qualified youth workers.

“We are hoping to work in partnership with all secondary and primary schools within Torfaen. Young people can be referred either by the school or by a member of the Torfaen Inclusion Team.”

Qualifications offered by the scheme include the Essential Skills in Communication, Application of Number and Digital Literacy, The Duke of Edinburgh Award and SWEET (Succeeding with Education, Employment and Training).

“Cwmbran Centre for Young People have already built great relationships with the secondary schools within Torfaen, as we have done this work on a smaller scale over the last six years through our engagement projects and drop-in facility,” said the manager.

“With the launch of the Aspire Academy, we have improved our vocational curriculum and qualifications, also working with pupils in primary schools as well as secondary schools. The academy will offer every young person that we work with the chance to start again and feel included in an innovative and interesting education programme where we aim to not only build self-esteem and confidence, but actively work to improve reading, writing, understanding, numeracy and digital literacy.

“It will be a totally flexible and unique programme that is tailored around the specific needs of each individual young person with every young person receiving both one-to-one tutoring and involvement in group work, volunteering and career development.”

Gareth Williams, the Awards for All programme manager for the Big Lottery Fund in Wales, said: “Awards for All is having a positive impact throughout Wales. Money is helping to establish groups, societies and clubs, promoting learning, increasing volunteering opportunities and helping to build stronger communities; and this project demonstrates just that.”