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Plymouth YMCA Training and Education

 

Discovery College

Discovery College attracts students from Plymouth and surrounding areas because it provides an adult learning environment that is free from the restrictions of old school teaching styles. Here, from the outset, the team treats students like mature individuals. Our courses are not based on pass/fail, and therefore enormous mutual respect grows out of the efforts our students and their teachers apply to the course content. This enables learning far beyond the classroom.

If you have doubts about completing another year at school, or struggle in your traditional school environment, perhaps we can meet your needs. Our aim is to support student success. We believe the best education combines high academic teaching standards with sound moral guidance. Education should provide holistic opportunities for varied success. The College prepares young people for futures where they can thrive in their chosen career paths and contribute positively to society.

Our students put themselves forward in situations they never thought possible, and in so doing create meaningful learning.
We create an environment where our students feel safe to challenge their learning, to question and explore the subject matter, and to stretch the boundaries of their imagination.

At Discovery College we believe learning should be fun, that students should feel supported and safe, and that all students should experience success. The Discovery College teams works incredibly hard to ensure our students reach these achievements.

" There is opportunity for students to be assessed in a way that meets their needs." Edexcel Review 2011

The professionalism of the staff and commitment of the management team are examples of very good practice. The centre's commitment to individual student achievement is very high and is an area of good practice”. Edexcel Review 2011

At Discovery College learning is fresh and adventurous. We move beyond the old fashioned, formal methods of assessments. Here there are NO EXAMS. Instead, they have been replaced by a regular flow of assignments and practical based tasks.

"...things were going so bad that I was thrown out of school in year 9...Things turned around when I enrolled on the BTEC Sports course at Discovery College. I passed my Level 2 ...obtaining a Merit and began to feel better as a person; and determined to get somewhere in life. That’s when I found Discovery College offered the Level 3 Plymouth Argyle Community Education Programme...I was over-the-moon to complete the course with a Distinction/Merit.". Dan Johns, Student 2011

Our partnerships with professional sports clubs include Plymouth Argyle Football Club, Plymouth Albion Rugby Football Club, Boringdon Park Golf Club, and Plymouth Raiders Basketball Club. These combine elite coaching with outstanding educational courses to provide our students with a great method of obtaining university placements and scholarships overseas.

Discovery College is a very special place. Start your unique journey of ‘learning beyond the classroom’ and let us help you to achieve your full potential.

Discovery college prospectus

For a closer look at the student experience click here

Discovery College BTEC COURSES

Young people between 16-19 years of age looking to pursue a future in Public Service or Sport can study (click for details):

• BTEC 1st Diploma in Sport Level 2
• BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport Level 3
• BTEC 1st Diploma in Public Services Level 2
• BTEC Extended Diploma in Public Services Level 3

Discovery College Pro-sport Scholarship Programmes

For students with special interests and sport specific skills the College also offers scholarship programmes linked with local professional sports clubs (click for details).

• Boringdon Park Golf Scholarship Programme Level 3
• Plymouth Albion Rugby Football Club Scholarship Programme Level 3
• Plymouth Argyle Community Education Programme Level 3
• Plymouth Raiders Scholarship Programme Level 3

For more information on our BTEC courses please telephone Nicole Jeffery on 01752 761012 or email nicole.j@plymouthymca.co.uk

Community Learning

Our learning programmes for adults, 16-18 years of age and over the age of 19, cover four main themes- Children and Young People; Fitness and Leisure;  Personal Development; and Workforce Development. 

Some Of our local partners include:  Plymouth Adult and Community Learning Service, All Saints Academy, Lipson Community College, Careers South West, The Cabin Childcare Centre, Seedlings Pre-school, Tomorrow’s People, St Mellion, University College of St Mark and St John, Devon Adult and Community Learning, Prince’s Trust, Mount Batten Centre, Havencare (Plymouth), amongst others.   

Year round programme enrolment available- choose to enrol at any time of the year (contact us for information on suitable days/times of each programme). 

• Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy  (levels 1 and 2)
• Level 2&3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce (Childcare)
• Active Leisure - NVQ in Fitness Instructing or Activity Leadership (both L2); or NVQ Diploma in Personal Training (L3)
• A range of EL3/L1 programmes providing a step into education, employment or further training through our Personal Development/First Steps options.

Plymouth YMCA Access Bursary Fund

This is a new scheme designed to assist young people facing financial hardship wishing to stay in full-time education. We have designed this scheme, with support from Plymouth Adult and Community Learning Service (PACLS) and Plymouth City Council (PCC), in response to the Government’s decision to close its Education Maintenance Allowance scheme and other learner support funds. The funding for this scheme is provided by the Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA).

For further information click here; or if you are a Plymouth YMCA student and want to apply for this fund please contact Sharron Agambar on 01752 761009.

For an Access Bursary Fund Application click here;

For information regarding Transitional Arrangements click here.

Children and Young People

You can study for Childcare qualifications at either level 2 (Certificate) or level 3 (Diploma).  Both qualifications include placement opportunities (up to two days per week) and enable you to also complete your Paediatric First Aid and a Food Hygiene qualification.

Fitness and Leisure

Our range of fitness courses can be viewed on the Health and Fitness pages of our website. 

We also offer apprenticeships in Active Leisure (level 2) and Fitness Instructing (level 2); along with an opportunity to further progress your fitness instructor training with an advanced level apprenticeship in personal training.  All three of these courses can also be studied as stand-alone nvq programmes.

Personal Development

Our adult literacy and numeracy courses are specifically designed to ensure that you progress at your own pace.  We provide individualised learning and work with you to devise individual learning targets that enable you to manage your progressover the course.  All courses are offered free of charge and you will, of course, have the opportunity to take exams at the end of your study.

First Steps are programmes devised to assist your first step back into learning and provide a safe, supportive and exciting learning environment.  Each five week short course is linked to a specific theme: creative writing; exploring language; exploring numbers; cooker; fitness; childcare; or the outdoors.  You can enrol on a programme of interest to you leading to a relevant qualification; and learn about other learning opportunnities.

For both young people (16-18s) and adults we offer two level 1 award courses:

• award in health and physical activity
• award in progression.

We offer a range of programmes that can support core training within the workplace. 

Courses available include:

• First Aid (see below for specific programmes)

• Health and Safety Awareness

• Manual Handling

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Mental Health First Aid

Discounts are available for groups and will be confirmed on request.

February 2012 sees the launch of our new leadership and management programmes.  Further information available soon.

FIRST AID COURSES

• Emergency First Aid At Work Certificate (1 day)

• First Aid at Work Certificate (3 days)

• Defibrillator Certificate

• Sports Injuries

• FAA Paediatric First Aid (2 day)

FREE MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID COURSES

Building on the success of our 2011 Mental Health First Aid programme, Plymouth City Council has funded additional free Mental Health First Aid courses for 2012.

Choose from one of the following course dates:

• MHFA 003 - Friday 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd March - all sessions 9am to 12noon.

• MHFA 005 Tuesday 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd May - all sessions 9am to 12noon.

Mental Health First Aid - a 12 hour programme to improve awareness and understanding of mental ill-health; and to develop skills for reducing discrimination.

For information on any of our Community Learning programmes either email communitylearning@plymouthymca.co.uk or call us on 01752 761009.

Plymouth YMCA, Honicknowle Lane, Plymouth, PL5 3NG

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