Di Harvey, Senior Tuition Lead was with the Outreach Tuition team at the recent Education People Show at Detling - spreading the word!
In this ‘all inclusive’ world you might be surprised to discover that according to the children's commissioner, 60,000 children, many of whom are vulnerable or have special educational needs, are permanently out of school.
Many of these are children and young people outside of school for behavioural, educational and complex needs, and are effectively ‘off the grid’ according to the Guardian (Feb 2019).
Further research by Anne Longfield shows the number of children who are known by councils to be home educated was 27 per cent higher in 2018 than in 2017, and has risen by 20 per cent in each of the last five years – doubling since 2013-14.
So if you’re not in mainstream school what’s your alternative?
Well for some it might mean a struggle to travel to another town or county to attend an alternative provision. At Outreach Tuition we are literally reaching out to young people who find themselves outside the mainstream education system due to health, emotional, behaviour or complex educational needs. Young people stay on roll with their existing school and we send our specialist tutors out to teach students on a one-to-one basis in the familiar environment of their homes.
Our second year at the Education People Show in Detling was a great way for us to get our message across and share our passion for inclusion in education. Heading the team was Boss Jodie Devlin, who had us all brushed up and briefed by 8.30am, raring to go.
So, to the backdrop of some fabulous wall hangings and posters and a flat screen showing students and tutors at work, we set off on our mission of spreading the word at the show, Jodie added:
“I love the chance to talk to educators, teachers and businesses about our passion for these kids and what we do. Every one of us believes in giving them a chance to re-engage and move forward in their lives.”
So whether we teach a student for a two week, two term or two year booking, every student gets an individualised plan, one that works for them, helping to build confidence and resilience for the road ahead of them.