Ridgewood School, Doncaster

We started the Re-Engagement Project in November 2001 and decided to place pupils with different training providers. As with all projects of this nature some pupils were placed easily and others proved more problematic. The Training Provider that gave us the best service in terms of communication and follow up was Prospect Training, who at all times maintained a regular dialogue with us.

Because of this, we decided to use the one Service Provider in 2002-3 academic year and subsequently set up a Service Level Agreement with Prospect Training. As part of this, we also included offering the pupils Taster Days in the academic year before setting out on the Re-Engagement Project. The pupils are also taking an Intermediate Certificate in Employment Skills (equivalent to NVQ Level 2). The agreement established that the Training Provider was to be reviewed annually in terms of the needs of our school and pupils and renewed only if still appropriate and effective.

We have since increased the number of pupils we send out on Re-Engagement and we are still using Prospect Training. In an ever growing market for placements, we have been able to commit our pupils to quality placements. There have been problems to resolve along the way but it is the way that the Training Provider has responded to those problems that has been the deciding factor in us continuing to use Prospect Training.

E Hinchliffe
Head of Careers
Ridgewood School
Doncaster