A lesson in First Aid at The Source, Meadowhall.

Qualification: BTEC Retail and Distribution
Equivalent to:4 GCSEs at A*-C
Point Score
Distinction =220
Merit = 196
Pass = 160
Level:2
Code: 100/5666/X
Exam board: Edexcel
Location: The Source at Meadowhall
Transport: Public transport (bus, tram, train)
Dress Code: Black trousers and Source T-shirt.
Time of Sessions: 9.00am –12 noon 13.00 – 15.00pm
Entry Requirements: Requirement to pass aptitude test. Outgoing personality, good communication skills. IT skills also an advantage. KS 3 Level 5.
Length of course:1 day a week for 2 years
Assessment and Reporting Arrangements: Half termly progress reports to school
Funding: £15 per student per day in year 1TBA per student per day in year 2.
Behaviour Code: Incident = yellow card, 2 yellow cards = red card (letter to parents/school) 2 red cards = formal interview.
Maximum Number: 12
Lunches: 12.00-13.00 from The Source or Oasis at Meadowhall. FSM are available.
Contact details: Referrals through ECT. No student may start without a fully completed and signed Referral Form. Sue Eastwood (0114) 263 5619.
Induction Arrangements:By prior arrangement. Visit by pupils in June.

Thanks to learning for life, students from Sheffield and Rotherham have recently begun a two-year programme of work placements at The Source, Meadowhall. In 2003 there were 150 pupils on these courses from Key Stage 4. This number has risen in 2004.

The students, studying NVQs in Customer Service and GNVQs in Retail & Distribution, complete a four-week induction course, involving Health & Safety, Customer Service and Professional Image prior to placements within the Meadowhall Centre. For one day a week the students will work at various outlets within the centre including BHS, Boots, Burtons, Early Learning Centre, Pilot, Pumpkin Patch, Top Shop, Toymaster, Toys R Us and W H Smith.

The students also attend lectures at The Source, completing a programme that provides invaluable knowledge and experience of the retail sector. The project was funded through a joint partnership with Sheffield and Rotherham LEAs, the European Union and British Land, as part of the Pathways to Success programme. Ann Scott, Sheffield Education Directorate, commented, “It’s great to see students from Sheffield and Rotherham’s schools reaping rewards from the Pathways to Success project. New and innovative active learning programmes are a valuable contribution to modern education; giving motivation and encouragement to NVQ and GNVQ qualifications.”

The experiences of the Pathways to Success project are already being used as a benchmark for UK educationalists as the scheme marks the successful collaboration of four education authorities – Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield – who have found a common purpose in mutual support for raising standards across South Yorkshire’s schools.

Please contact Sue Eastwood for further information 0114 263 5600

Retail and Distribution Press Release: Local youngsters get results from successful retail pilot programme.

A group of 14-16 year olds from seven local Sheffield schools are enjoying the opportunity to learn out of the classroom by participating in work experience in retail and customer services at Meadowhall. The Source at Meadowhall in partnership with Sheffield City Council has created a unique pilot programme for local youngsters.

Ofsted, the schools watchdog, this week claimed that vocational GCSEs - introduced to prepare school pupils for employmen - are too academically focused and that schools are finding it hard to implement them. Therefore, according to Ofsted, GNVQ results are disappointing and the courses are sliding back towards the traditional academic based curriculum. However, bucking the trend are GNVQs at The Source at Meadowhall, which are proving a huge success due to the Centre's unique working ethos and community and business links.

The General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ) Intermediate Retail & Distribution programme is proving to be a huge success and the high pass rate of the first assessment speaks for itself. The initial group of GNVQ Intermediate Retail & Distribution students recently received their results: 6 achieved a pass rate, 6 achieved a merit grade and 1 distinction was awarded to Kirsty Taylor-Fletcher of Newfield School.

Customer Service students currently studying towards an NVQ Level 1 Award, spent one day in Meadowhall outlets gaining invaluable work experience and one day at The Source. The expertise gained in their work placement contributes a great deal towards their qualification with some students achieving 'Excellence Awards' from their respective stores.

The GNVQ programme is unique in that Meadowhall Management offers expertise and first hand practical experience in various departments of distribution, Retail and Customer Service. Students have undergone first aid training delivered by Meadowhall security and been involved with various marketing promotions with Meadowhall's marketing team.

Sue Eastwood, Schools Retail Programme Manger, The Source, commented. "We are extremely lucky at The Source because we are in a unique position which has enabled us to develop good links and work closely with retailers to benefit our pupils, and help keep the course vocation based.

"I am extremely pleased with how the students have progressed; by working with Meadowhall employees and retailers they have developed extremely well and the feedback from all involved has been positive. This work-based experience is invaluable in their growth and development. The positive changes in their behavior and attitude have been astounding and recognised within their own schools."

Councillor Angela Smith, Cabinet Member for Education & Training, Sheffield City Council, commented "Sheffield's approach is to be as realistic as we can when arranging workplace experiences for young people, and the work we've done at the Source is one example of this.

"We work very well with many local employers to develop meaningful working relationships between businesses and schools, and the development of our specialist schools signals a real step forward in raising the quality of education, both vocational and academic.

"From this September, we will have vocational courses available in every school, and over 100 courses available throughout the city. We're working hard to make sure that these are high-quality learning experiences for Sheffield young people."