Pre-VENT Key Stage 3 project

The Pre-VENT Key Stage 3 project is an education intervention program funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). It operates across the five Local Authorities of Blaenau Gwent (who host the project), Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil and Torfaen and targets young people aged 11 – 13 years old.

The project began in 2009 and is due to run for 3 years with a possible extension to 2014 following a review of outcomes.

The project aims to:

• Raise aspirations, self esteem and motivation to learn
• Reduce disaffection
• Develop emotional intelligence
• Raise achievement in basic skills
• Develop ways of identifying pupils at risk of underachievement
• Increase the number of young people (girls in particular) who opt for study and training in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)

To date, the project has worked with nearly 10,500 young people on the above areas across 40 secondary schools. The following case studies hope to showcase the success of the project and positive impact involvement has had on the young people concerned. Schools have reported a definite increase in motivation and inclusion as a result of programmes and initiatives funded as a direct result of the ESF investment and the following case studies allow the professionals and more importantly the young people to explain and show how.