Alternative Education Programmes

Welcome to SKAPE!

SKAPE is a Darlington-based Alternative Education Provider (AEP) for children and young people aged 7-19 (Key Stage 2 and above). At SKAPE, we ensure that core skills underpin our learning, with daily lessons in English, Maths and PSHE, delivered in an attractive classroom environment that is conducive to learning. Functional Skills qualifications can be gained in English and Maths, to Level 1 or Level 2 (dependent on working-at grades). Students also complete weekly lessons on food preparation and nutrition, either at SKAPE or at our Secondary Site.

SKAPE is situated within the Sim King Social Gaming building, which houses the latest-generation gaming consoles, racing and flight simulator equipment, and VR equipment. With leading experts researching advancements in technology, estimating that around 85% of the jobs that today’s learners will be doing in 2030 haven’t even been invented yet (Institute for the Future for Dell Technologies, 2019), we particularly recognise the importance of advancements in technology within an educational setting. We are passionate about utilising technology to provide an inclusive and immersive learning experience, greatly adding value to both lessons and learning outcomes, and to support students in developing the necessary skills and attributes to maximise their chances of future employment and employability.

Find out more

Our Mission Statement

SKAPE Alternative Education Provision is committed to providing a 21st Century education that promotes the academic, emotional and social development of our students. It is our aim to create a holistic, nurturing and inspiring environment where pupils are supported and encouraged to take charge of their lives, their learning and their decisions. Every student will have an understanding of their personal journey, challenges and future opportunities. All will be encouraged to become independent thinkers, to become resilient in their development and in finding resolutions to problems, and to learn to value and respect others, thus enabling them to meet the challenges of both the wider world and the future world.

In partnership with parents, carers, schools and outside agencies, we will provide students and staff with a positive, enriching and supportive learning experience. We will achieve our vision by constantly thinking about the bigger picture, about upcoming developments, especially in the realm of IT, by working as one team, valuing our staff and their continual development and by frequently reviewing, debating and developing the curriculum.

The SKAPE Team

Curriculum

Lessons

Enrichment and Engagement opportunities

Classroom Activities

We offer a variety of lessons in our curriculum including:

Functional skills - a Programme of Study will be developed for each student following assessment of basic skills and in conjunction with EHCPs
PSHE and citizenship
Multiple craft activities, including art, the humanities, and technologies
Coding
Device Repair
Food technology lessons

Classroom Activities

Enrichment and Engagement opportunities

Classroom Activities

Classroom-based activities include the core subjects of English, Maths and Science. In addition to recorded work, these will also include a variety of practical activities that are designed to nurture curiosity, and which will improve engagement and break down barriers to learning.

Enrichment and Engagement opportunities

Problem solving
Team building exercises
Improving communication skills
Developing employability skills
Learning time management
Learning money management
Developing a positive attitude to work

Recreation

Pastoral Support and Wellbeing

Enrichment and Engagement opportunities

On-site recreational activities including team and individual gaming, team and individual racing simulation, VR training, device repair, E-Sports and pool.
Offsite activities such as sports, karting, climbing, bowling, trampolining, etc.

Pastoral Support and Wellbeing

Mental resilience underpins everything we do in life. At SKAPE, we are passionate about supporting our students in identifying and developing self help skills to build resilience and overcome challenges they might face. Self help skills sessions are offered in the following areas, alongside pastoral support from qualified staff:

Anger management
Self-esteem building
Mindfulness
Social skills
Relationship education
Safeguarding yourself
Stress management

Growth Mindset

Pastoral Support and Wellbeing

All our lessons are underpinned with growth mindset principles. We teach our students how to accept and learn from mistakes, and how to grow their skills in a positive and effective manner that bolsters self-esteem and builds resilience. Our teachers are well practised in supporting students with a variety of special educational needs, including those with social, emotional and mental health needs, and so will always ensure that Programmes of Study are produced with individual needs and Educational Health Care Plans in mind.

Safeguarding

At SKAPE, the highest standards of Safeguarding Practice is central to everything we do. It is our primary duty to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults and all staff are dedicated to promote the welfare of these groups. We ensure that children, young people and vulnerable adults can learn in a safe, conducive and neurodiverse-friendly way, that promotes their love of life and learning, their mental well-being and their self-esteem. Difficulties are seen as temporary barriers to overcome, not as failures, and we support all our students to strive for the very best that they can.

Download our Safeguarding Policy below to learn more.

Parent Questionnaire and Testimonials

Have you noticed any positive changes in your child’s attitude since starting our school? If yes, please explain in a little more detail?
"Definitely, he actually gets out of bed on a morning just to attend"

Has your child's willingness to attend school improved since joining SKAPE?
"Yes 100%"

Do you feel you are kept up to date with your child's progress at SKAPE?

"Yes absolutely"

How would you rate the overall academic progress of your child since starting SKAPE? (Poor-Excellent)
"Excellent"

Have you noticed any improvements in your child's attitude since starting SKAPE?
"Not as verbally aggressive like he was when he was attending mainstream school"

How satisfied are you with the communication between SKAPE and yourself?
"Very Satisfied"

Are there any specific areas where you think our Alternative Provision School could improve?
"None whatsoever"

How likely are you to recommend our Alternative Provision to other parents or teachers?
"Very likely"

-Parent-

Have you noticed any positive changes in your child’s attitude since starting our school? If yes, please explain in a little more detail?
"Yes my son is more focused and has a positive attitude to learning

Has your child's willingness to attend school improved since joining SKAPE?

"Yes SKAPE has had a positive effect at home and at school"

Do you feel you are kept up to date with your child's progress at SKAPE?

"Yes, at the end of each day we discuss what has happened through the day"

How would you rate the overall academic progress of your child since starting SKAPE? (Poor-Excellent)

"Excellent"

Have you noticed any improvements in your child's behaviour since starting SKAPE?

"My child's behaviour has improved. His structured learning has shown major improvements"

How satisfied are you with the communication between SKAPE and yourself?
"Very Satisfied"

Are there any specific areas where you think our Alternative Provision School could improve?
"I think SKAPE is doing amazing. I cant fault them at anything"

How likely are you to recommend our Alternative Provision to other parents or teachers?
"Very likely"

-Parent-

" We currently have a Y6 pupil accessing SKAPE having tried a number of alternate provisions that broke down. Our pupil had completely disengaged from learning and was coping for no more than an hour in school. Since joining SKAPE we have seen a completely different child. He is engaged with all elements of learning and is accessing a wide variety of tasks that are relevant and adapted to his needs. Parents are overwhelmed by the changes they have seen and are proud that he is working so hard. Using gaming as an incentive to learn has been the best thing for this young man and subsequently he will be accessing further time at SKAPE. The staff are highly skilled teachers and treat our pupils with respect and dignity. It has been a pleasure to work with them. We look forward to weekly reports that are very positive!"

- SENCo-

"A big thank you for all your hard work and effort you put in. Very much appreciated!"

-Parent-

"One of our Year 4 children have attended SKAPE for the Summer Term and the staff have been amazing in engaging them back in the curriculum. The weekly reports and photographs have highlighted all the work that has been completed and the comments have been so positive. All of the staff are highly skilled and communication between SKAPE and school has been superb. They have engaged with school daily and have gone above and beyond in their quest to help the child transition back into the mainstream classroom. All of the staff are highly skilled. It has been a pleasure to work alongside them."

-Deputy Head SEND/Inclusion-

"One of our 12 year-old young people in a Residential home struggled to attend school over a long period before we found him a placement at SKAPE provision. Since joining his attendance has been 100%. His confidence has grown, he enjoys attending school daily and he is making very good progress. We receive weekly updates, including photos to show school progress. I couldn't recommend SKAPE provision highly enough.

-AP Manager-

promoting the enrichment, enhancement and evolution of learning

Welcome to SKAPE!

About Us

Our Mission Statement

Our Mission Statement

Our Mission Statement

Curriculum

Our Mission Statement

Our Mission Statement

Safeguarding

Our Mission Statement

Safeguarding

SKAPE Team

SKAPE Team

Safeguarding

Policies

SKAPE Team

Policies

Calender

SKAPE Team

Policies

Our Mission Statement

Curriculum

Lessons

Enrichment and Engagement opportunities

Classroom Activities

Classroom Activities

Enrichment and Engagement opportunities

Classroom Activities

Enrichment and Engagement opportunities

Enrichment and Engagement opportunities

Enrichment and Engagement opportunities

Recreation

Pastoral Support and Wellbeing

Enrichment and Engagement opportunities

Pastoral Support and Wellbeing

Pastoral Support and Wellbeing

Pastoral Support and Wellbeing

Growth Mindset

Pastoral Support and Wellbeing

Pastoral Support and Wellbeing

Safeguarding

SKAPE team

Kelly Watson

Kelly Watson

Kelly Watson

Linda James

Kelly Watson

Kelly Watson

Mike James

Kelly Watson

Mike James

Dale James

Kelly Watson

Mike James

Parent Questionnaire and Testimonials

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