Kick Start Karts

Course Aims & Objectives

 Kick Start Karts is our ENTRY programme.

Learners are identified and referred by local agencies as at high risk of either exclusion from school, Unemployment  or committing crime.

Our aims are:-

• To engage, educate and equip 13 -19 year olds with skills that motivate them to become more included in mainstream society.
• Serve as part of each learner's Individual Learning Plan agreed with the referring organisation

Upon completion of this course learners will be able to demonstrate:-

• Minimum of 80% attendance and completion rates.
• Basic skills in kart assembly.
• Improved life and social skills
• A basic awareness of road safety.
• A sense of achievement
• Improved behaviours on returning to referring organisation.
• Reduction in criminal activity (if appropriate)

Method

An integrated learning facility combining basic mechanical theory with the repair and maintenance of an indoor kart together with a basic input covering the legal requirements for vehicle use on the highways.

Teaching Aids

A modern, fully equipped motor vehicle workshop and classrooms.

Two karts will be provided by the Project for construction by the students.

Mock Theory Tests now available on line at
www.driving-tests.co.uk

Other useful links:-

www.dsa.gov.uk

www.dvla.gov.uk

www.direct.gov.uk/en/travelandtransport/highwaycode

Safety Aids

Overalls, gloves, safety boots, goggles, all safety equipment as required by law – all provided by The Wheels Project.

Programme

1 x 2 ½ hour session a week for 6 weeks + 1 x 4 hour karting event

Notes

KARTING EVENT

• All race days will run simultaneously with other groups on Fridays during term time at The Raceway, Third Way, Avonmouth, Bristol (Tel: 0800 376 6111) between 0945 and 1400 hours. www.theraceway.co.uk

• All learners who complete the course may (see the next three points) be eligible to participate in a karting event at The Raceway. To comply with The Raceway’s rules and regulations learners must be aged 14 on the day in order to take part in the race laps. Those who are under 14 will be able, instead, to take part in timed lap sessions.

• Wheels' Supervisors have the discretion to bar a learner from attending the karting session, on the grounds of safety, if that learner's behaviour throughout the course has caused sufficient concern.  The learner will be informed of this decision during the final session at Wheels prior to karting.

• A learner will be excluded from the karting session if he/she has been absent for more than two sessions.

• A learner will not be able to attend the karting event if he/she has not returned the signed parent/guardian consent form (given out during the first session at Wheels) by the week before karting at the latest.

• At least one member of staff from the referral organisation must be present at the karting session and he/she must be sufficiently familiar with the learners to manage effectively any incidents that may occur during the event.

• One member of staff accompanying a group will be able to take part in the karting, provided there are at least two members of staff present representing that organisation.

GENERAL CONDUCT OF LEARNERS

• No alcohol or illegal drugs are allowed and anyone suspected of being under the influence will be excluded for that session.

• Students who repeatedly break the rules agreed in week 1 will be warned by our Supervisors, their referring supervisor notified and may be excluded from the group permanently if that behaviour continues.

• Violent behaviour will result in immediate removal from the course.

• Students will be warned against bullying behaviour and will be removed from the course if this behaviour persists.

TRANSPORT

Transport of students is not provided by the The Wheels Project.

Qualifications

In-house certificate of completion.

Groups

• Groups will be pre-formed by the referring organisation.
• Group size is restricted to 8 students.
• Wheels does not have more than one group at its centre at any one time.
• New Learners can start up to week 2.
• A Risk Assessment on pupils must be completed by Key Workers before start of course – those with history of violent behaviour are excluded from Wheels programmes.

Criteria for Selection

Students’ behaviour should be causing concern to group leaders and exhibit at least three of the following factors:

• Aged between 13 - 19
• Anti-social behaviour
• Poor educational record
• Truanting
• Exclusion from school
• Involvement in illegal drugs
• Criminal record

Intakes

 Groups attend The Wheels Project without the presence of others to reduce distractions and aid concentration.

Intakes for groups occur at the start of each academic term and also during the Summer holidays.

Useful intake dates until the start of the academic year 2007 - 08 are:-

Venue

The Wheels Project Ltd
24 Emery Road
Brislington, Bristol BS4 5PF
Tel: 0117 971 1711
Contact: David Glossop, General Manager  david@wheelsproject.org.uk

Staff

2 Workshop Supervisors from The Wheels Project
1 Training Officer (Ex Police Officer) from The Wheels Project
1 Teacher/Youth Leader from referring group

Cost per Group

£4674

For a detailed breakdown of costs visit the Kick Start Costings page