Oasis

The Education and Employment Committee’s report on “Disaffected Children” (1998) identified many casual factors and examples of good practice in schools to address disaffection (Huskins, 1998). The report recognized that underachievement, truancy and exclusion from school can be precipitated by a variety of factors including learning disabilities, bullying, pregnancy and parenthood, racism and cultural differences as well as responsibilities at home such as caring for relatives. Also, there can sometimes be a mismatch between a young person’s needs and school provision. The report concentrated on young people aged 14-19 and recognized that a range of interventions could reduce alienation from school. The Welsh Assembly document ‘Extending Entitlement’ states that young people need better support to make the most of opportunities available.

The informal and voluntary nature of the Oasis Project make it ideally placed to identify and address the needs of young people. The Oasis Project is able to reach young people for whom school is not a positive experience and who are likely to reject advice relating to their social personal emotional and educational development.

The Oasis Project has evolved out of a desire to help an increasing number of young people who have become disillusioned with school and education in general resulting in little or no ambition, truancy, and in some cases exclusion. The reason and background to these young people’s situation is often more complex than the school system is able to address.
The Oasis Project commenced in October 2000 as part of a pilot scheme within the comprehensive system. Three schools were initially selected – Abertillery, Glyncoed and Tredegar. Abertillery and Glyncoed were originally funded through the Children and Youth Partnership, and Tredegar was funded through the old Wales Youth Agency. Tredegar was originally funded for one year but due to the success of the project the Wales Youth Agency increase the funding for a further year.
Due to the success of the pilot, it became apparent that the project needed to be extended to the other three comprehensive schools in order to address the growing problem of disaffection. Funded through the old Education Gest budget, Brynmawr, Ebbw Vale, and Nantyglo comprehensive schools acquired the Oasis Project in October 2001. By 2003 the various strands of funding had been amalgamated into Cymorth. Cymorth continue to fund Oasis on an annual basis. The position is reviewed at the end of each financial year and to date the funding has fortunately been sustained.

Initially the Oasis Project targeted years 8,9,10 and during its development year 7 and 11 were also identified and added to the Projects’ remit in which to work.

The Oasis Project seeks to address social exclusion and disaffection by involving young people aged 11-16 from schools in Blaenau Gwent who are unable to maintain themselves in mainstream education and training. Through personal educational development plans and by designing processes to empower, encourage and re-engage in learning activities Oasis Project officers are able to advocate and encourage participation from young people, whilst retaining them within a school environment. This will enable young people to develop personal social skills and to build confidence and self-esteem, improve motivation, attitude and behaviour.

The Oasis Project offers an appropriate curriculum through informal learning, which enhances the 14-19 Learning Pathways. Partnership working with agencies including Leisure Services, Careers Wales, Education Welfare Officers, Arts Development, Police, Community Safety and Health Promotion compliments provision currently being delivered within the Project. This includes Open College Network (OCN), Youth Challenge Awards, Youth Achievement Awards, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, St John’s Ambulance First Aid, Getting Connected and Outdoor Pursuits.

Through the intervention of the Oasis Project exclusion rates have reduced, there are lower truancy rates, school attendance has improved as has attitude and behaviour. Re-integration within mainstream education is apparent, accreditation is increased and accessing the Oasis Project creates more opportunities for young people. The Oasis Project officers have become invaluable assets to the schools and will often apply their skills and knowledge to other areas of working with young people in school when time allows. Examples include the support of yr10 & 11 young people in engaging with the Virtual Vocational Opportunities programme. The Pupil Active Listening Service, which requires the training of sixth form pupil’s to act as buddies for pupils in year 7. The mentoring of yr 10 & 11 young people who are contemplating examinations, study leave, coursework and or work placements.
Although the Oasis Project works through a referral process, many other young people within the school system will often access the facilities in order to gain information advice and guidance.

Oasis Project Contacts

Nick Gartside
Curriculum Development Officer 01495 355836

T T T - Text Size's