Bunking Off - The Alternative School

Bunking Off - The Alternative School from Kirsty Anne Pugh on Vimeo.

Visitors from The North West Regional Duke of Edinburgh Award

TAS Tutors were pleased to see both Robert Johnston and Sarah Bonner from the North West Regional Duke of Edinburgh Award office. Robert and Sarah had been invited by TAS Director Kirsty-Anne Pugh to view the progress made to date since receiving their very own Duke of Edinburgh Licence earlier this year. TAS has already supported 4 young people successfully through their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award and is currently supporting 31 more young people through a mixture of Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Robert and Sarah had only just arrived when Tas creative Tutor, Zoey Duval grabbed them and asked them to make a Mini Mosaic for the `Brierfield Back Street` Mosaic project. Once completed, Shelly Gilman (TAS Head Tutor) gave both Robert and Sarah a tour of TAS and an overview of how the Duke of Edinburgh award is embedded into the TAS curriculum and every part of a TAS day. Discussions continued throughout the afternoon looking at work achieved to date and plans for the future and expanding The Duke of Edinburgh Award into the community following a successful bid for funding.

The First Story is the best

…… The TAS website and blog have arrived and we have so many stories to tell about what we have been doing this year. Already we are entering our 11th week in school and young people are already achieving certificates for completing the TAS Introduction, Career Planning, Attendance, Mountain Biking and the first part of Their Duke of Edinburgh Award. We have also been camping, completed a 6 week Mountain Biking and Road Safety Course, completed a practice walk for The Duke of Edinburgh Expedition and last week began a Climbing and Scrambling Course. Speaking of which, some of our young people courageously rescued a distressed sheep whilst out on Earl Crag, Cowling, made a harness and carried it back to the farmer who contacted the vet.

Well done guys.

Community Mosaic Project

Member of the local community Bob Mains completes his mosaic.





PCSO Mark Crossley with pupils from Reedley Primary School designing their mosaics.

















Creative Expression Tutor – Zoey Duval with TAS young people – Jordan, Michael and Declan.



The Alternative School and Brierfield Neighbourhood Management once again joined forces and organised a community Mini Mosaic Day. Members of the local community, shops and Schools were invited to partake in the day with the aim of making as many mosaics as possible which will be displayed on the back street behind TAS and Brierfield Police Centre as part of the TAS, Duke of Edinburgh Project to clean up the local area. The project led by TAS tutor Zoey, managed to make 132 mini mosaic tiles, and a second event has been organised for just after Xmas.

The TAS Team

A Huge welcome to new members of our team, both employed and freelance, Catherine, Gavin, Nigel and Jim. We`ve loved working with you so far and hope you will stay with us for some time to come. A big thank you also to the rest of the team who have supported TAS over the past year and worked really hard to get our new building ready over the summer – Shelly, Zoey, Rowen, Bob, Anne, Hayley, Janette, Stewart and Mum (Bacon Butty Queen).

Camping at Waddow

TAS young people camping at Wadow and taking part in Team Building activities and Archery.

Monday Workshops

Each Monday, TAS young people are invited to attend informative workshops as part of their own personal development plan.. so far this year they have attended

• Smoking Cessation

• Sexual Well Being

• Duke of Edinburgh

• Anti Bullying

• Early Break Drug and Alcohol Service

• Burnley College

• Homelessness

• Career Development

and still to come before Xmas – Mens Health and Young Enterprise. Thank you to everyone who came along with interesting and informative session plans.. Wes, Sue, Paul, Shelly, Abdul & Norman, Heather, Ken & Shona, Sam (who is the TAS YPS P.A. and is based within TAS once a week – big thank you)



Speaking of Mens Health and Sexual Well Being.. did anyone else see the amazing play at Burnley Youth Theatre on Tuesday 11th November. Myself and six of the TAS young men attended and had a brilliant evening, thansk to Terry, Cherie and Julie from Young Peoples Service (YPS).