Vocational Training
Courses currently offered at Roots and Shoots
- Horticulture training course
- Retail training course
- Plus additional Life Skills courses
An over view of the courses offered and the learning experience of students:
Listed below are the qualifications a student can expect to achieve with Roots and Shoots.
The separate qualifications should not be seen in isolation. They work with each other, with the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) supported by Wordwise and Numberwise, and broadened or developed by Preparing for Employment and other outside courses offered.
The whole package together with work experience, makes for a young person who, when leaving Roots and Shoots, has 5-6 relevant qualifications, and a much stronger chance of gaining work or going on to further training.
- City & Guilds NVQ Level 1 Horticulture
- E2E
- City & Guilds NVQ Level 1 Distributive Operations - Retail
- City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Preparing for Employment
- City & Guilds Wordwise and Numberwise
- Computer training with Lambeth Riverside
- Lifestyle Awareness Training with Icon Training and Elephant and Castle Gym
Assessment
Each student is assessed by the Educational Co-ordinator and the tutor for their chosen NVQ course beforehand. After starting, an Initial Assessment is undertaken: this not only looks into prior learning and achievements/qualifications but also looks in depth at any social or other issues which may affect learning.
Reviews
A base or first review is undertaken with the student and educational team. This establishes the goals which are to be met during training. There is then a review with a personal tutor every 2 months. This establishes how the student is doing against these set goals and also is an opportunity for the student to say how they feel they are doing and for the tutor to say how they feel the student is doing on the course generally.
Student support
A welfare officer at Roots and Shoots is available to students, whose role is to listen to any difficulties the student may be having. These could be related to problems on the course, or outside the course, with friends or at home. The welfare officer would then take appropriate action, including giving direct advice, referring the student to counselling services, offering benefits advice or a whole host of other options. We feel that the level of support offered to student is very high, and as a result, unlike the national average drop out rate of 50% we achieve a much lower 15%.
Educational Maintenance Allowance
Roots and Shoots is registered for EMA which means that students can claim up to £30.00 per week, which is paid directly into their bank.
Travel costs
Roots and Shoots will cover the cost of travel for students; this is normally a monthly bus pass on an Oyster Card.