Bedwas High School, Caerphilly
Headteacher Peter Ward chose to direct a portion of the school’s RAISE funding to the employment of a full-time Youth Worker. The school had previously enjoyed the services of a part-time Youth Worker employed by the local authority, and he was convinced of the merits of the position. Now, with an additional full-time Youth Worker the school has been able to: expand its counselling services and use of the Student Assistance Programme; create an early morning safe haven for vulnerable pupils; and offer OCN Angling and Duke of Edinburgh courses at KS4 and KS5.
The headteacher is in no doubt that the role of the Youth Worker, Luke Richards, has had a positive impact on the school; moreover, testimonials from the pupils he has supported confirm the value of his role in helping disadvantaged pupils to stay the course and find success in school.
The Youth Worker's role encompasses
- Staffing the early morning Axis room;
- Liaising with all pastoral team members in the school to ensure that vulnerable pupils are identified and counseled;
- Delivering SAP sessions to groups of pupils from throughout the school;
- Providing the ‘Inclusion through Angling’ alternative curriculum option for disaffected pupils at KS4;
- Providing Duke of Edinburgh Award classes to pupils in KS4 and KS5;
- Aiding KS2/KS3 transitions by visiting local feeder schools to offer SAP sessions and survey Y6 pupils using PASS.
