Gecko Community
Gecko Community offers innovative teaching and therapeutic projects to support neurodivergent students who struggle with education. Our provision combines the alternative education needed by these students with an appreciation of the wellbeing essential to their social integration and personal confidence.
We support students aged between 5 - 25 who meeting any of the following criteria:
- Are Autistic;
- Are Experiencing anxiety or mental ill health;
- Are at risk from exclusion or have self-excluded from mainstream education;
- Have ADHD;
- Have experienced bullying and trauma.
Starting in September 2024, we will open an alternative provision site for six to eight neurodivergent children in years four and five. This will be in addition to our current provision.
Mentor sessions
Mentor sessions are led by the young person. The aim is to support them in exploring their neurology through a neurodivergent-affirming lens, re-building self-confidence, helping them re-discover their love of learning (on their terms) and act as a positive Neurodivergent role model.
Mentors also support young people who are in crisis, have PTSD and work therapeutically with them to process trauma.
All sessions are student led. Self-discovery and recovery is achieved through the therapeutic relationship between the mentor and the young person. The length of this process is determined by the young person and is organic, not time limited or prescriptive.
All mentors use a trauma informed framework (PACE).
Academic Sessions
These sessions are student-led, based on an interest chosen by the student. We offer sessions in English Literature and Language, Maths, Art, History, Science and Computer Science. We offer GCSEs in English Language and Literature, Maths, Computer Science and Biology.
We are also able to provide ASDAN subjects which include short courses in Animal Care, English, Environmental, Expressive Arts, Foodwise, History, Living Independently and Mathematics. In addition to all of these, we can also offer the Bronze and Silver Arts Awards.
Our Plan for September
Starting in September 2024, we will open an alternative provision site for six to eight neurodivergent children in years four and five. This will be in addition to our current provision.
The location for the hub will be in the Frome area, Somerset. We will run for 16.5 hours over three days a week, 9:30 - 3 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, in term-time only (38 weeks).
The children who will join us will be neurodivergent and have EOTAS or an EHCP because they are unable to access mainstream education. Some may also have had previous traumatic experiences in school such as bullying or feeling unable to cope with what was expected. They may be experiencing anxiety or mental ill-health.
This site will provide the innovative educational and emotional support that people have come to expect from Gecko, as well as the opportunity for children to meet teachers and peers face-to-face in a warm, welcoming and safe environment.
The hub will be run by expert and highly experienced teachers. They will provide lessons based around English, Maths and Science, in a style that meets the individual needs of each child. Alongside these core subjects, we will also run an Arts Award and the Neurobears program. Neurobears is a neurodivergent-affirming course which allows children to explore what neurodivergence means for them, boosting not only self-understanding but also confidence in who they are.
Additional information
This hub will supplement the main learning a child receives elsewhere, as this hub will not be in place of the child's main education. The hub will be registered with Ofsted on the voluntary childcare register. The children will not need to attend for the full 16.5 hours, and we are aware that children may need transitional support to build up to attending a new provision. Each child will initially have a bespoke timetable, as they build up their attendance to what is right for them.
We are anticipating a very high level of demand for this service, but unfortunately will have limited places to offer. We will have a waiting list for any students who wish to join us after the places have filled. In Summer term 2 we plan to offer one day a week for getting to know the team and other young people.