Ace also means... Alternative Curriculum Education

At Ace Outdoors we are able to offer flexible curriculum provision in the form of a short-term early intervention project or a longer targeted alternative education programme to provide off-site provision for those young people with the most complex lives who are disaffected or disengaged from mainstream schools.

We can work with parents, schools, local agencies and other learning providers to retain young people in their home and community environment. Our VOICE programme provides support and a new vocational pathway, other than mainstream school, into education, employment and training for those most at risk.

VOICE (Vocational Outdoor Initiative Challenging Engagement) ®

The VOICE scheme is a unique programme within our alternative curriculum strand for young people who wish to engage in a variety of award schemes based around the theme of outdoor adventurous activities out width of mainstream education or training.

The Voice scheme is designed around the needs of the young person to develop their leadership potential, self-esteem, confidence and team working. The Young people complete a range of projects to develop these generic skills to help improve their employment or college prospects.

Aims of the Voice course are to make significant improvements in the following areas:

• Motivation and attitude to learning
• Developing lifelong generic skills and knowledge
• Schools attendance (or willingness to re-engage in classroom learning)
• Behaviour / anger management
• Raising and maintaining attainments
• Problem Solving

Course participants complete a range of practical activities and theoretical projects using ICT which are assessed and recorded through the ASDAN Award scheme, as well as a number of nationally accredited Outdoor Education awards.

The Young person will be able to work towards the following awards and certificates over a number of weeks or over a two year programme working with one of our instructors as their mentor:

• ADSAN Certificate of Personal Effectiveness COPE - Level 1
• Duke of Edinburgh Award - Bronze Level
• National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme Level 1
• Young Navigator Star Awards Bronze, Silver and Gold
• British Orienteering Federation Young Leader Award
• John Muir Conservation Award
• Discovery Award
• Key Skills
• Wider Key Skills

This course programme consists of a wide variety of different outdoor activities, ranging from classroom based learning, day visits and a number of residential trips involving camping, climbing, walking and mountain biking. We often work with a small group or any number of individuals as a weeklong residential.

ACE Outdoors working in partnership with schools and local authorities (foundation learning tier):

Learning providers and inclusion mangers who have access to our provision normally timetable sessions with their young people, as either a half day or full day option over a period of 6-12 weeks or as a foundation programme lasting up to a nominal 90-180 guided hours of learning. An interview is held to ascertain the Young person’s initial learning needs to personalise their learning programme and to help to support them with any learning difficulties or special needs.

The ACE VOICE programme is designed to enhance the likelihood of students accessing further education, training or employment. The emphasis of the programme has been to prepare young people to make the transition from school to the world of work, further education or training. ACE continues to support young people to ensure that the numbers of post-school students not in education or employment are reduced by using targeted positive activities.

For more detailed course information on the VOICE programme please ring us on 0845 505 1211 to arrange a meeting or to be sent our curriculum overview.