Pupil Referral Unit
When children play truant from school or experience behavioural problems, doing well in the classroom may only be part of the challenge they face.
That's why staff at the Pupil Referral Unit are working hard not only to help children complete their education, but to improve their confidence, hone their personal and social skills and boost their self-esteem as well.
"Schools can recommend youngsters to the Pupil Referral Unit if they think they are at risk of slipping through the cracks and need some extra support," explains manager Peter Owen. "The unit is based in Aberkenfig and has two classes that are designed to help youngsters aged between 5-11 and 11-14 overcome behavioural and attendance problems.
"We divide a pupil's week between attending classes at the unit and at their usual school. This gives the youngsters access to classes that are specially designed to encourage them to learn and overcome their particular problems while also making sure that they don't become isolated from their mainstream education. Over time, the pupils are then gradually reintegrated back into their schools.
"Our main objective is to give pupils a willingness to learn and improve themselves so that they can continue to feel like part of society. More than 50% of 15 year olds sat GCSE or entry level qualifications last year with a 98% pass rate. Without the support and help of the Pupil Referral Unit, many of these youngsters wouldn't have otherwise been able to get that far. It's a sign of the unit's success that many go on to further education."
Behaviour support assistants wanted
Do you think you could support children with behavioural and attendance difficulties? Are you patient and calm with a good sense of humour? If so, the Pupil Referral Unit would like to hear from you.
The unit is looking to recruit Behaviour Support Assistants like Lisa Seaborne, who helps children at Blaenllynfi Infants School in Careau.
"As my background lies in nursery nursing and I'm interested in speech language therapy, I was keen to find out more about becoming a behaviour support assistant after spotting an advert in my local job centre," says Lisa, 29. "My mornings are spent caring for a five-year-old who has behavioural difficulties and my afternoons are spent looking after a four-year-old autistic child.
"It's my job to help ease them into the class and develop their basic social skills. As part of this, I encourage them to join in with what their classmates are doing, such as standing quietly in assembly, sitting patiently at a table, listening to the teacher, learning and so on. It's not a case of following them around all day as we don't want the children to come to rely upon the assistants too much. But we do play games and help them with their lessons.
"As each pupil could have different needs, you need to be very patient and versatile in the way that you deal with them. I've found that a calm personality, a firm sense of discipline and a great sense of humour are highly important for this job. You get an enormous sense of satisfaction from helping the children and watching as they progress.
"Just seeing their smiles when they accomplish something new is a great reward!"
Want to learn more about becoming a Behaviour Support Assistant or about the Pupil Referral Unit?
- call (01656) 815290
- email education@bridgend.gov.uk
- click www.bridgendpru.co.uk.
- Last Updated: 15/06/2011
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