Croydon Digital

information

info.croydondigital.com

Croydon Digital is a unique practical response to the difficulties faced by disengaged young people. Three critical notions in educational thinking are brought together to create comprehensive personalised learning.

1. Inclusion - Croydon Education Department is committed to finding new ways to challenge disengagement of young people via a responsive Pupil Referral System. A significant minority of pupils are not able to engage in formal teaching situations.
   
   
2. E- Learning - There have been many studies and Government recommendations to support the difference that the internet and ITC can make to engaging pupils and boosting their confidence as self-directing learners. Croydon Digital is taking the best of e-learning software and methodology to support a pastoral and holistic approach to assisting dis-engaged, hard-to-reach students as well as those with health issues that preclude school-based learning.
   
   
3. Integrated Intensive Support - Pupils are working in their own home so we are determined not to exascerbate the relative isolation of pupils and their families. Each pupil has an allocated Connexions Personal Adviser, Study Support Worker along with Career and Progression Routes advice.

Croydon Digital is an online learning provision for Keystage 4 pupils who are unable to attend a mainstream school due to emotional, behavioural, social or health issues.

• Education: Croydon Digital provides a full time education placement offering the core curriculum and other National Curriculum subjects. Pupils have personalised learning plans, which are agreed at the time of interview with the parent/carer. We offer Studywiz - a cutting edge Virtual Learning Environment - with which to engage and get the best from our students.
  
  
• Support: Staff members are available to facilitate learning and answer queries. We are fortunate to have a learning mentor who is able to do home visits and support learning. Lessons take place at two different sites, Ruskin House in Central Croydon and Phil Edwards Centre in Upper Norwood. Activity Workshops are held through out the year in order to teach pupils life skills and enhance their ICT knowledge. Our holistic approach ensures access to a well-established multi-agency team who comprise of the Education Welfare Department, The Education Psychology Service, Connexions Advisory Service and Croydon Adolescent Mental Health Service.
  
  
• On Line: We provide each pupil with an Apple Macintosh computer which has a DVD drive and a broadband connection. Family members may also use this computer providing they respect it's purpose and primary user. Our pupils have access to a 24 hour broadband internet service and email facility.

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Hands-on: Technology

"The Digital Divide could be re-inforced if young people were left to fend for themselves with a web-connected computer, no matter how good the online resources. Guided discovery is advocated and encouraged. As we enter our 4th year, we continue to find that young people respond well to a balance of structure and freedom- what we are happy to call Integrated and Blended Learning."

• A Secure and Safe internet experience
• 24 hour access
• Weekly expectations for a certain level of work
• Clearly understood procedures for following up lack of activity (Little or No Response Policy)

Accentuating the positive

sometimes this is taken to mean ignoring the negative.

We start from realistic starting points and aspire to realistic goals. We don't shrink from challenging poor effort or behaviour. We expect, and largely receive, positive responses to the aims and objectives we set per pupil as a part of a Personalised Learning Plan.

 

Croydon Digital aims to:

• Provide a high standard alternate educational provision for those unable to access mainstream school
• Provide a curriculum tailored to students needs.
• Minimise the fear of education.
• Promote access to Further Education and the world of work.

 

Croydon Digital offers:

• National Curriculum subjects
• access to a password protected Education Management System.

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Teachers available on-line.

• Access to work 24 hours a day from home or away from home.
• Home Visits by our Learning Mentor.
• Special Learning sessions as well as formal lessons where appropriate.

Eligibility

• Young People with Medical Needs
• Young Carers
• Young people who have developed a School Phobia
• Young people with mental health concerns or CAMHS involvement.

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Curriculum

We have a wide range of subjects available to students and their progress is monitored by the on line teaching staff. We offer:

• GCSEs
• Entry Level Certificates
• Unit Awards
• Adult Literacy and Numeracy awards (ALAN)
• Work-related learning
• Work Experience
• An enjoyable,creative and convenient means of learning