New Directions

When research showed that a small but significant number of mainstream school pupils were seriously under-achieving as they approached leaving age, Renfrewshire Council sought to provide young people with a different approach. New Directions was established to provide vulnerable and disengaged young people with a learning experience outwith mainstream school.

The aim of New Directions is to ‘offer seriously disaffected and under-achieving young people the opportunity to stimulate or rekindle their enthusiasm and help realise their potential'. With a multi-disciplined staff team, the resource is operated in partnership with Renfrewshire Council's Education and Leisure Services and Reid Kerr College, Paisley. Each student is allocated a key worker who will help them develop and facilitate an Individual Learning and Support Plan (ILSP).

A typical learning programme can be chosen from the following menu of options:

Core Skills (only compulsory element)
Communications; numeracy; information technology; personal and social development; and problem solving.

Vocational Training
Hair and beauty; catering; plumbing; bricklaying; roofing and tiling; plastering; electrical; painting & decorating; joinery; fabrication & welding; business management; travel & tourism and social care.

Sports & Health
Outdoor activities; including hill walking, climbing; mountain biking; skiiing and raft building.  Gym & fitness; health and wellbeing; first aid; drug and alcohol awareness; sexual health and preparation for independant living.

Work Experience with a Local Employer
A range of work experience placements can be arranged including the following;
Motor engineers; tyre and exhaust fitters; plumbing, hairdressing salon; beauty salon; elderly care home; special needs school; or nursery school.

Specialist Supports
When required key workers support students to access a range of specialist resources.

Referral to the New Directions Programme: All students in their 4th year of Secondary education - referrals are made to New Directions by individual Secondary Schools in the Renfrewshire area

If you would like to find out a bit more about the New Directions programme please contact the Team on 0141 581 2169 or by email tyoung@reidkerr.ac.uk