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Learning through leisure

Published: 09/12/2020

Learning through leisure

The Aura ‘learning through leisure’ programme offers educational provision to pupils aged 14-16 across Flintshire who struggle to engage with the more traditional qualification routes. Many of those who have been referred to us have poor attendance records or in some cases, may have been excluded.

The programme is a partnership between Aura Wales and Flintshire County Council. It is now in its second year and has a new cohort of 10 students enrolled onto the programme.

Learning through leisure offers a professional alternative provision that delivers a mixture of nationally recognised sports qualifications, work experiences and leadership opportunities which are delivered by Aura’s qualified tutors Gary Dixon and Dylan Roberts.

Flintshire County Council’s Leader and Cabinet Member for Education and Youth, Councillor Ian Roberts, said:

"This is proving to be an excellent programme, helping young people to find their place in the world and to build their confidence, self-esteem and social skills whilst having fun.

"Learning through leisure is one of a number of programmes being run through Flintshire County Council’s Inclusion and Progression team who do an amazing job in engaging with hard to reach young people."

Steve Thomas, Aura’s manager of the Alternative Provision programme, said:

"In addition to the sporting aspect, we also provide a coaching and mentoring service to our learners and deliver qualifications and workshops on a wide range of personal, social, health and economic topics through collaborative links with several partners.

"As a result of programmes success we have recently received positive recognition from senior management and Cabinet Members of Flintshire County Council. This year we have a new cohort of 10 pupils enrolled on the sports programme (which takes place at Jade Jones Pavilion) and we are excited to expand our alternative provision offer to run an additional programme to support Aura’s spa and beauty team, so, as our reputation builds hopefully our growth into other areas of the business will too."