A new style of education provision has arrived in Cornwall offering a solution for young people who are not suited to mainstream, thanks to an investment package funded by business specialists Finance Cornwall.
Set up by teachers Glen Coleman and Alice Morris, Taliesin Education is aimed at children with complex education needs who will benefit from tailor made solutions in a less traditional school environment. They aim to provide a supportive learning environment in which students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and to begin the process of working independently.
A total of £41,000, part funded by Finance Cornwall was used to fit out and equip a building at Heathlands Road, Liskeard, including class rooms and a library.
Alice Morris, a former Head Teacher at a school for children with emotional and behavioural issues, said: “Taliesin is aimed at creating a stimulating environment for students who have previously found it difficult to thrive in ordinary schools. Classes are small with high staff student ratio. Students are given therapeutic and behavioural support to help them overcome the problems which may have slowed their progress”.
Taliesin is aimed at students between 8 and 16 years old who have special social, emotional, or behavioural needs, who have been excluded from mainstream schools, or others who have particular special needs. Students will be referred by education authorities in the South West and foster care companies.
Business partner Glen Coleman, who has experience of teaching within prisons, said: “We wanted to move away from a traditional model and 'de-school' it by providing centres in more informal settings, such as on business estates. We feel this will give the students a sense of being in a semi-work situation rather than a traditional school one. The curriculum follows the National Curriculum but using the strengths and preferences of the student to devise learning programmes that are meaningful to them.”
Alice continued: “By enabling students in Cornwall to stay within the county we also hope to ensure that people can stay within the supportive atmosphere of their home rather than be sent out of the county to residential courses.”
Mike Wall, Finance Cornwall’s business loan fund manager, said: “At the moment a significant number of children from Cornwall are sent out of the county to have their educational needs met. By opening a centre in Cornwall, Taliesin hopes to provide a meaningful education to some of these children whilst minimising the disruption it causes to their lives. We have every confidence it will be a success.”
Copy ends – May 22, 2007
Notes to editors:
Photography:
From left to right: Glen Coleman, Alice Morris and Mike Wall (Finance Cornwall).
About Finance Cornwall
Finance Cornwall is a £20 million investment fund backed by £9 million from the Objective One European Regional Development Fund.
Finance Cornwall’s funds are administered by Finance Cornwall Fund Managers Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
For more information visit www.financecornwall.co.uk
For more information contact
Stephen Gilbert
Deborah Clark & Associates
01872 276 276 |
