Supporting education

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Young People at ARK

ARK can provide a day provision for young people of varying needs. This includes, children experiencing difficulties in school, those with neurodiversity, home-schooled children and those who are not in education, employment or training.  
ARK has two qualified teachers and two registered social workers as part of the experienced and skilled staff team. Staff can support students and their support workers, parents or TA’s to access the opportunities on offer with the goal to be able to join in with our small community to foster a sense of belonging and social inclusion. 
This will help develop a young person’s self-worth, sense of identity, social and emotional skills and help to build resilience and confidence. We can tailor our service to meet the individual needs of the young person and the referring agency, offering short or full days (10am-3pm). We can offer young people the opportunity to be a part of a safe and nurturing environment, to learn to be themselves, to be accepting of others, to be able to develop emotionally & socially or to work towards specific goals and their aspirations.
We welcome the chance to work alongside colleagues in education, health and local authority to ensure that any young person, has the best chance to have their needs holistically met. 
ARK staff are not able to work on a 1:1 basis; however, we support, monitor and supervise small groups; most young people attend ARK with an adult who can support and supervise them as needed. In some circumstances, young people are able to access ARK without support, but be discussed and agreed in advance.

Schools & Colleges

ARK can provide opportunities for school groups to visit, to work alongside some of our experienced and knowledgeable staff and volunteers to help support the school’s environmental and outdoor curriculum. ARK has animals, a wildlife pond, a horticulture area, wild spaces, indoor areas for learning & ART’s and Crafts and a woodland area. A huge variety of activities and learning opportunities can take place in these environments alongside helping students develop their SEMH. Our qualified and experienced staff can support schools in devising meaningful and worthwhile learning opportunities on our site 

ARK has been able to offer a limited number of work experience placements for school and college aged young people, supporting them in learning more about working outdoors and working with people. 

Duke of Edinburgh Award 

ARK is a DofE registered centre being able to provide opportunities for 14 to 24yr olds to complete their Bronze DofE. Participants can complete all of their award at ARK including their Volunteering, Skill, Physical and Expedition. 
ARK has provided opportunities for young people completing the award external of ARK to complete their volunteering section with us.

NEETS and P2I at ARK

We have worked very successfully with Somerset Works and the Partnership College to support young people who are not in Education, Employment or Training and those leaving care. 
Supporting young people (up to the age of 25) to grow in confidence and self worth, providing an environment where they can be themselves, free from prejudice and pressure to enjoy our environment, learn new skills and eventually feel able to be a part of the wider community again.