Day Education

Spark of Genius is a unique independent school which has developed a new approach to refocusing young people who have had problems maintaining a place in mainstream education. That approach centres around raising the self-esteem of pupils by using information and communications technology, high-tech, safe and invitational learning centres, and staff who build strong relationships with small groups of pupils and their families, which involves them in regular evening and weekend work. Spark of Genius currently has day education learning centres in the following locations for which we invite referrals:

• Paisley
• Glasgow
• Dunoon
• Irvine
• Musselburgh
  

All deliver a broad, varied curriculum ranging from 5 to 14 up to Access, Intermediate and Higher across a range of subjects. Using highly-visual workbooks and backed up by a state of the art online e-learning system, our curriculum ensures our young people leave Spark of Genius with the best education possible. Click here to read more about our Software Design department.

Skills for Work

Skills for Work Centres which have been created with the Scottish Governments new ‘Skills for Work’ courses in mind. These courses are mainly aimed at third and fourth year pupils and are primarily aimed at teaching young people practical skills and becoming familiar with the world of work. Skills for Work courses include Construction Crafts, Rural Skills, Hospitality Skills and Sport and Leisure Skills.

Skills for Work courses provide progression pathways to employment, training and further learning opportunities for all learners. The successful completion of a ‘Skills for Work’ course provides formal certification in the same way as for any other Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) National Qualification.

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Irvine Transitional Learning Centre 

The ITLC – Spark of Genius has opened the ITLC [Irvine Transition Learning Centre] which caters for younger pupils engaged upon cross-curricular programmes of work based upon the 5 – 14 curriculum. The ITLC is staffed by several experienced primary school teachers where pupils are in the process of transition from prior placements which have broken down to more settled educational futures, whether back in mainstream or with Spark of Genius.

Post 16 destinations and transitions for our young people

Over the last couple of years we have expanded our educational provision to include young people over the age of 16 using different approaches centring upon the Get Ready For Work (GRFW) scheme aimed at post 16 young people to aid our young people to optimise their academic, vocational and social abilities. This allows us to develop young people further after they reach the age of 16 by offering them paid training places with Spark of Genius which give young people work experience and additional education and training to make them more ready to gain work or gain places in further education.

We have 2 GRFW projects in the West of Scotland and are in the process of applying for additional projects further afield. Both the Irvine and Paisley Spark of Genius GRFW projects cater for up to 70 young people over the age of 16. It allows us to continue to work with young people and prepare them for the world of work also finding appropriate housing for them if required.