About PLUS

PLUS is part of a national government strategy to target particular groups of young people who have a record of poor achievement in literacy and numeracy. It aims to re-engage these young people in education and enable them to change their lives by giving them the skills they need for the future.

PLUS provides a flexible approach to learning and a range of materials, including a computer-based initial assessment tool, traditional worksheets for individual or group study, interactive CD ROMs (e.g.. based around mobile phone technology and buying a scooter) and "enrichment materials" including a pond building kit and music projects. These are all specifically designed to meet the needs of and appeal to young people, using their interests to engage them in learning.

PLUS also provides teachers' materials, including a guide to accreditation, which maps the PLUS modules to the National Core Curriculum and Adult Basic Skills Core Curriculum. There is also development and training for teachers and support staff and a website and helpline are planned.

The programme has been piloted with young people, but will be used nationally across relevant services, including community settings, as part of the Department for Education and Skills' Skills for Life programme. There are opportunities for Youth Worker Teams to engage in the delivery of programmes and to promote them to local training providers. It is also hoped that practitioners in the system will have the opportunity to be directly involved with the learning activities, such as non-educationally trained Youth Workers helping to run the enrichment activities.

The PLUS Summer Programme included the use of the following PLUS materials: Digital Music, Sounds Good, Drama, Visual Arts, Designing Our World, Poetry, Storytelling, Intensive Reading Programme.

Not yet available as PLUS materials, but developed by the Charnwood Arts PLUS Summer Project practitioners were: Digital Photography, Circus Skills & Dance.

Other materials not used or currently in development are: Pond Kit, Tree Kit, Child's Play, Allotment Work, Letter Writing & Work Prep, Letters & Language.