The Small School at Winestead Hall - The Sailors offers a worthy solution to the youngster difficult to place.
THE MAIN AIM: The School offers a fresh start, special care and education in a 52 weeks challenging and structured programme including academic and practical education, sailing, practical workshops and wide-ranging sports, music, art and drama activities. Study trips within Britain and abroad.
THE SCHOOL HAS A UNIQUE OFFER: It is at one time a school, a home, and a new starting point. Time is not divided into 'School', 'leisure', 'free', and 'work' times. Like life itself, the programme is non-stop. Provided by a group of adults who live at or near the school and use it as a basis for their own lives. The day is structured to meet the needs of everybody who lives here. The increasing confidence in themselves and in other people such a programme offers is a decisive factor for success at the school and later on in life.
THE PROGRAMME COVERS:
* The National Curriculum and Curriculum beyond. AEB and GCSE exams on site and connections to local colleges. Each student has to his/her disposition a PC connected to digital libraries, E-mail and Internet. Individual teacher controlled education.
* Magnificent cultural events, eg Red House Olympic Games and ski-ing in Norway. End of Term celebrations where Parents and Social Workers are invited. Music concerts, excursions to explore Britain's beautiful countryside and exciting history. Music, drama, art, sports and sailing and other outdoor activities.
* Extensive study trips abroad, eg Turkey, India and USA.
* During the summer groups from the school use a two tall ship as its base. The youngsters will have their lives, school and home onboard, and use the sailing vessel as their point of departure.
* Practical skill training and Life skill training by running the school and the ship together with the adults.
* Knowledge of the world, by studying abroad, within the UK and in the class room. Ashore and at sea.
* Building friendships with peers and adults, across gender, cultures and borders.
* Planning for and shaping a constructive plan for the future beyond the school years.
Home leaves 1 weekend per month.
Family accommodation on site available by arrangement.
Main referrers: Local Authority Social Services and Education Departments from all over Britain.
Alumni - Students who have been in this programme for two years and more build up a much stronger self esteem through the variety of educational, social and personal achievements which enable them to look at their own furture with a steadily growing confidence. Our surveys show that 75% of these are doing well, e.g. they are soundly occupied, coping with their lives out of care. The overall future prospects of those who are still in the care system are that they will cope after leaving care. Many keep in regular contact with each other and with the school, by phone and visits.
