What is CAPS?

We were first established as The Virtual PRU in January 2005 to work with young people at Key Stage 4 without a school place. Referrals for these young people can come from any agency, such as Connexions, Social Services, YOT or internal Children’s Services departments. From September 2006, we became CAPS, also working with young people on a school roll who are at risk of permanent exclusion or significantly disaffected from the school curriculum.

We are a support service for these young people and ensure that they are provided with individual packages of learning which meets their educational, personal and social needs.

Who do we work with?

We work with young people who are:

• Without a school place – this means that they are not on a school roll.
• At risk of permanent exclusion from school or who are not engaged in mainstream education. These young people are referred by their school and will remain on the school roll whilst attending their education with us.
• Living in the City of Nottingham.
• In Year 10 or 11.

Who can refer a young person?

• Schools.
• Connexions
• Youth Offending Team.
• Social Care Services.
• Admissions and Exclusions.
• Any other agency.

There is a standardised form that requires information on the young person such as their personal details, school and educational information and other agency involvement. Referral forms are available to download at the bottom of the page.

What happens next…..

• When a referral is accepted, the young person and the parent/carer are visited and an initial assessment is carried out on the young person.
• Each young person completes a diagnostic assessment on their Literacy and Numeracy.
• Each young person is allocated their own support worker, who will create a timetable based on their interests. They will fully support the young person in their education and in any other areas they need additional help with.
• They will also have a weekly one to one tutorial with their support worker, which looks at areas such as Personal Development and Healthy Living.
• The support worker will keep parent/carers, schools and any other agencies working with that young person updated on their attendance, progress and any concerns.
• Schools with be provided with weekly attendance data, be invited to termly progress reviews and will be provided with an end of year ‘School Report’.
• Young people will also be supported in moving onto employment, education or training when they finish with us at the end of Year 11.

Examples of provision we can offer:

• English, Maths and PSHE are compulsory for all young people and are offered at different levels, including one to one tuition.
• A range of Construction Provision, including Painting and Decorating, Plastering and Bricklaying.
• Creative Industries Provision, which includes Media, Music and Video Animation.
• From September 2007, we will have a Sports Academy, which focuses on Street sports, Ball Sports, Martial Arts, Fitness Training, Nutrition, Sports Science and Mechanics.
• Other types of provision include Hairdressing, Childcare, Art, Catering and ICT.
• We also obtain work experience placements in a variety of areas for young people who wish to access this.

All of the sessions that the young people attend are accredited with Section 96 qualifications.

Download Documents

CAPS Referral Form - Schools (92kb)
CAPS Referral Form (70kb)

How you can contact us

CAPS
11 St Agnes Close
Wigman Road
Bilborough
Nottingham
NG8 4BJ
01159 153255