Croydon Digital offers:
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GCSEs in Maths, English, Science, History, Geography, Citizenship, ICT, French and Art.
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Adult Literacy & Numeracy exams
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A wide variety of practical & vocational exams using Vision2Learn
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Entry Level Exams, Unit Awards and CLAIT ICT
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A highly individualised Learning Plan for all pupils
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access to a password protected, award-winning Virtual Learning Environment.
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An enjoyable,creative, convenient and flexible means of learning.
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work experience, if requested geared to pupils interests
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Overview - Croydon Digital is an online based learning provision for disadvantaged pupils aged 14 and above, who due to mental or physical health or serious family or other events, have been unable to attend mainstream school. Students have home computer access, receive home support visits and attend small group activities at our learning centre in Ruskin House, Croydon.
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Tackling isolation: Students work online at home but are offered up to fourteen and a half hours of support lessons per week plus individual appointments. This is a great opportunity for students who have difficulties associated with leaving their house, whether physical or psychological but also holds out option to attend, as and when they feel able. However, in most cases, we remain vigilant to avoid any possibility that we are compounding a young person’s isolation. Our Centre-based Study Support Groups help with this. We arrange other initiatives from time to time, such as Theatre, Museum and relevant cinema visits, as well as fieldwork tasks for coursework. We see this too as important for challenging isolation and a sense of disadvantage felt by our students.
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How it Works: Students work primarily from home and, in recent years, an increasing number often have their own broadband connection. However, we are able to provide a new BT line, internet and computer according to need. Family members may also use a computer we have loaned, providing they respect it's purpose and the needs of it’s primary user. Our pupils then have access to a 24 hour broadband internet service and a state-of-the-art Learning Portal and, most critically, the tutorial support to make this work for them.
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Blended Learning: Each new student receives training in how to access their work, their Learning Plans and the inbuilt mail messaging. They quickly establish a rapport with their teachers who they will also be invited to meet at support lessons. Croydon Digital has developed a ‘blended or continuum learning’ methodology, between face-to-face small group work and online learning. The blend, per pupil, depends on the personalised learning plan we offer according to need and what is achievable.
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Support Lessons: Where possible, students attend small Subject support lessons which take place at our main Centre at Ruskin House in Central Croydon and Phil Edwards Centre in Upper Norwood. Activity Workshops are held through out the year in order to strengthen general skills, IT ability and exam preparation.
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Multi-Agency Approach: Our holistic approach ensures access to a well established multi-agency service which comprises the Education Welfare Department, The Education Psychology Service, Connexions Advisory Service and Croydon Adolescent Mental Health Service. We have further regular contact with similar services and provision at the EBSR ( Emotionally based School Refuser ) Panel Meetings where applications for prospective students are also considered .
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Online Teachers: Our teachers are the main stay of Croydon Digital; able to bridge the divide of online proficiency needed to engage with students and to work effectively with diverse abilities of students attending for small group work . A student will have a response to work submitted or inquiry made online, usually by the next morning. So students are always aware of what work is in hand or outstandling. They have access to their Learning Plans, Schemes of Work and general curriculum information. So students can access work at any time of day as long as parents allow.
Eligibility
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Young People with Medical Needs
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Young Carers
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Young people who are School Phobic
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Young people with mental health concerns or CAMHS involvement.
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Young people who are deemed vulnerable.
Croydon Digital, Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon, CR0 1BD Tel and fax 44(0)28 680 4226
