Research School Network: SomersetWorks Summer Holiday Programme 2021 Funding from the Sunday Times Christmas Appeal in partnership with the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF).

The principle aim of this ambitious project is to support disadvantaged Year 11 pupils in the school holidays; keeping schools open and providing pupils with a safe place to go, a good meal and engaging activities.

The project will start by working with young people to raise awareness of the opportunities that will help them transition to the next stage of their education and training. When the schools stop providing statutory schooling for Year 11s, the programme of activities will begin running throughout the summer reaching out to a wide number of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged of the current Year 11 cohort.

The programme reflects the potential impact that Coronavirus has had on this Year 11’s learning and their Year 10 experience during the first lockdown. This includes the higher levels of poverty now being experienced by many families and young people, the issue of rural isolation and the impact this could have on transition to Post 16 outcomes.

• Get a Head start Curriculum
  Providing an online introduction for Year 11 students to Post 16 courses to help ensure that their next steps and choices are secure
• Get Ahead Resilience and Aspiration
  Resilience and well-being sessions for young people targeted on how to make the transition into Post 16 a positive experience for Year 11’s.
• Get out There
  A range of physical, outdoor and community-based opportunities including those delivered through established programmes including the National Citizenship Service and Duke of Edinburgh programmes.
• Get Experience
  Providing work experience opportunities with local Somerset businesses as either physical opportunities or as virtual work experience programmes.

Working closely with their community partners, SomersetWorks will be able to deliver this excellent programme of activities to create a comprehensive and inspiring project for the summer. Reaching out to support all Year 11 pupils and providing, a safe place, a good meal and engaging activities for its duration.