Departments: Personalised Learning Centre
Finham's Personalised Learning Centre (PLC) is a self-contained building which opened in September 2006, following extensive refurbishment.
 The PLC was developed in response to the growing needs of pupils, not just educationally but socially and emotionally. Whilst we're here to educate young people, we also know that it's extremely important to keep them healthy, happy and feeling safe - we work very much to the Every Child Matters agenda.
The PLC is:
- A safe place for students to discover how to cope and learn within the school environment.
- A place where students' problems can be faced, tackled and overcome.
- A place of encouragement and success within clearly defined boundaries.
- A second chance for those youngsters whom 'the system' fails.
- A place where self-esteem can be rebuilt.
 Young people come into the PLC for a variety of reasons. Some struggle to cope with mainstream school because of difficulties with learning, poor behaviour, inappropriate response to authority and lack of social skills; some are returning to school following a long period of absence for medical or other reasons; some may have suffered a family trauma or injury and may need some extra support in the short term.
The PLC timetable is unique and varies as the year progresses depending on the needs of the students. We teach mixed age groups and all abilities. Some lessons are dedicated to PSHE, behaviour management, anger management and reflection. Behaviour for Learning is taught and continually reinforced.
Our aim is to return students to mainstream lessons as soon as it is appropriate. Most will return to class with a positive target sheet which is initially monitored by PLC staff.
A number of associate staff are based in the PLC, including eight teaching assistants and five learning supervisors. Many outside agencies also support our young people, including representatives from Connexions, LABSS, Relate, Social Services, Young Carers and so on.
The style of approach is constant from all staff; firm but fair. All staff work hard to understand the needs of individuals and react accordingly.
Views of the PLC so far have been extremely good. Many parents have commented on the positive knock-on effect at home, regarding greater self esteem and feelings of self worth. Students who spend time with us all speak highly and warmly about their time in the PLC.
Counselling
Some parents may be unaware that for the last few years we have had access to a counsellor at Finham Park School. It all started with a half-day contract with 'Time for You', a counselling service for young people, which is part of 'Relate'. As it became more evident that this type of service was much needed, we took on our own Counsellor, Geraldine Beck. The service is now heavily over subscribed, so we have taken on a second counsellor, Debbie Worth who joins us in September 2009.
Referrals to the counselling service are made in various ways. School staff, parents, extended family, friends and of course the young person them self can refer. We are increasingly taking more referrals from outside agencies working with our young people, such as GPs, Social Services, the Police, LABSS, to name but a few.
So...why do some young people feel the need to talk to someone who is not a family member or a teacher? As young people grow and develop there can be many trials and tensions that occur in all families. Most navigate, or at best muddle their way through, though some benefit from extra support. Being a teenager is both exciting and challenging and not all youngsters have the personal resources to cope with this transition easily. Some young people will experience bereavement and personal loss, the normal smooth running of family life may be knocked off course, the stress and pressures of achieving high grades can become too great - counselling may be a way to assist individuals to accept change and to make adjustments to new circumstances.
Counselling sessions are individual and completely confidential. School staff, parents and other agencies will not be informed of the content of any discussion, without consent/permission from the young person. The only exception to this would be if the child was 'At Risk' at which point Child Protection Procedures would be followed in line with school, Local Authority and Government Policies.
Geraldine and Debbie are in school from September 2009 all day Tuesday and Thursday. Referrals are made via the Personalised Leaning Centre (PLC). Students can come over and book an appointment for themselves, ask their tutor, college head or trusted friend to book on their behalf, or parents can request an appointment for their youngster by contacting Mrs Parkes (Inclusion Manager) or Mrs Chapman (Learning Mentor) in the PLC.
PLC Manager/SENCO: Mrs Parkes
Mrs Chapman
Mr Bennett
Mrs Evans
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