Gateways Annual Report 2020

ANNUAL REVIEW 2020

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

2020

Gateways

A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER

After a positive start to the 2019 – 20 academic year, JW3 Gateways, like all schools, academic institutions and community venues, faced sudden closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Accomplishing an immediate switch to online learning was an enormous challenge but staff and students adapted admirably and not one day of lessons was missed.

Programme Overview

Every young person should have the opportunity to progress and thrive, regardless of the challenges they face. A growing number of vulnerable young Jewish people struggle to function within mainstream schools. Many believe that there is no other option available to them. JW3’s Gateways programme provides a viable alternative.

Who we are

Gateways is an educational and vocational provision that supports vulnerable young people and those experiencing mental health challenges.

Laurence Field, Gateways Director

“Thanks to your team for all your tremendous support and advice over the past year. I don’t know what we would have done without you.”

Gateways parent

“Our son is now back in school with his friends, thanks to Gateways, and will take GCSEs in the summer.”

Gateways parent

What we do Gateways – the only provision of its kind within the British-Jewish community – delivers a range of bespoke courses and pastoral care, providing its students with hope for the future.

Adapting to the reality of the pandemic

Looking back at its most challenging year, the JW3 Gateways team would like to share some highlights of what has been achieved during this time. Despite the pandemic forcing the doors to JW3’s physical building shut, we were determined to continue delivering our Gateways services to our students, who have needed this support more than ever.

Throughout the pandemic, Gateways has:

• provided 100% of our academic classes and pastoral support online;

• continued accepting new referrals;

• enabled every single student to complete their end-of-year assessments;

• ensured that all those entered for 2020 exams and assessments attained their qualifications;

• provided English and Maths support sessions for specific students from mainstream schools who had fallen behind whilst working at home;

• increased the mental health and wellbeing support to students and their families.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of the entire JW3 Gateways team, the programme has been able to run successfully during the pandemic and continues to make a positive impact on the lives of all of its students.

Who we support

15 – 17 year olds who are in mainstream education and need an alternative provision. 18 – 25 year olds who are striving to overcome emotional, social and academic challenges.

“Gateways has been a life changer for our son! Please pass on to the teachers that their encouragement has had a really positive effect.”

Gateways parent

EDUCATION REPORT

Louise Davis, Head of Education

Gateways’ holistic approach to education includes the creation of individualised programmes for each student for both academic and vocational pathways. In moving to virtual teaching, Gateways faced the challenge of ensuring that all students were both supported and engaged with their studies. Both teachers and students rose admirably to this challenge. The success of the students and their capacity to cope with such an enormous change to the delivery of lessons is a direct result of the ability of the talented Gateways teaching team to adapt their teaching methods in these difficult times.

Vocational Subjects

BTEC Business Enterprise: this new course provides a grounding for students to progress to an apprenticeship or further education. This has started online and will continue in person in 2021.

Hair and Beauty: now run as a certificated, industry recognised Level 2 Diploma (VRQ) which prepares our students for a career in this sector. This has started online and will continue in person as soon as possible in 2021. The course will offer opportunities for students to work directly with members of the public.

Food Health and Hospitality: a Level 2 BTEC in Home Cooking Skills that equips students with this vital life skill.

A variety of courses are on offer:

Core Academic Subjects

Maths and English Language and Literature, with the intention to offer Science in 2021/22. These qualifications include entry level, functional skills, GCSE and A level.

Personal Training: Gateways runs a Level 2 BTEC in personal fitness, delivered by an experienced, professional trainer, which is designed to provide students with a valuable alternative route to employment.

Drama and photography are also offered, according to demand.

Coaching

In 2020, Gateways introduced individual coaching sessions to support students in identifying their personal and career pathways.

Outcomes:

Gateways achieved a 100% pass rate in all 2020 exam courses:

• English and Maths GCSE, with all students achieving grades 9-6

• Functional Skills Level 2 Maths and English

• BTEC Home Cooking Skills

• Personal Training OCN course

Since the start of lockdown in March 2020, Gateways has

• provided an average of 55 sessions a week;

• recorded 660 online student attendances

Gateways parent

Gateways parent

“The fact that I have a daughter who wants to learn and is enthusiastic about her studies is simply priceless. It really is the first education provision that she has wanted to re visit.”

Student receiving her GCSE Maths certificate at JW3

“Gateways has been an invaluable help to my family.”

PASTORAL CARE REPORT

Sarah Mendelsohn, Head of Pastoral Care

Gateways staff have observed a rise in students’ stress, anxiety, fear and loneliness in 2020. More have been experiencing depression and a drop in self-esteem and confidence. The pastoral team have responded with an intensive effort to ensure that every student, along with their families, has had the opportunity and encouragement to speak about their concerns. From the start of lockdown in March until December 2020:

• Gateways accepted 19 new referrals, including Covid-related referrals;

• the Head of Pastoral Care has made 151 support phone calls to parents and students;

• Gateways provided 121 psychotherapy sessions to students, in partnership with Norwood.

In addition to the special programme of interventions during the pandemic, the pastoral team continued its regular support services, including liaising with schools on the needs of mutual students and cooperating with organisations and charities supporting Gateways students.

COVID-19 is causing anxiety across the UK and the rest of the world, negatively impacting on our mental health. Being in a lockdown can be psychologically challenging and the isolation emotionally tough.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2021 AND BEYOND

The Gateways Team

Gateways is looking forward to bringing students back in to JW3 for in-person classes at the earliest opportunity that it is safe and sensible to do so. We will not compromise the safety or wellbeing of our students. Recognising the need to adapt to a new reality, Gateways will continue to offer certain lessons online for those unable to access the programme in person. Despite all the challenges of the past year, 2021 is looking to become the most ambitious year for Gateways yet, with exciting plans to expand the provision to the next level.

“Thank you once again, I’m only sorry I didn’t know of your existence years ago!”

Gateways parent

“I’m genuinely grateful for everything you did for me over the past few years. I hope that one day I’ll be able to give back as much as you have given me.”

Gateways student

“My son had stopped attending school and Gateways was the step up that he needed to build his confidence, with great tutors in a caring environment. He has now returned to school part time but still goes to Gateways regularly.”

Gateways parent