What are Short Breaks?

Short Breaks are activities and services that support families with children and young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).  

​

Out-of-School Hours Activities at The WoodView Project
Introduction
The WoodView Project, located at the heart of Worlingham just outside Beccles, is a nurturing and innovative alternative provision setting, dedicated to supporting young people who find mainstream education challenging. Since its establishment in 2022, The WoodView Project has provided a personalised, experience-based approach to education that enables every young person to find their potential and thrive.

Background and Rationale
Increasing numbers of young people across Norfolk and Suffolk are struggling to engage with conventional education settings. Many face barriers including social, emotional, and mental health difficulties, special educational needs, or personal circumstances that impede their educational progress.

Recognising these challenges, The WoodView Project offers a personalised curriculum delivered in a 34-acre woodland setting. Young people here are supported through a blend of academic tuition, life skills development, and therapeutic engagement — all underpinned by a philosophy that believes every individual has ability, and with the right environment, can achieve success.

While our daytime provision is already making a significant impact, we recognise a clear need and opportunity to extend our support beyond traditional school hours.

Out-of-School Hours Provision
The WoodView Project proposes the introduction of a structured programme of out-of-school hours activities to further support the personal and social development of young people in our care and the wider community. These sessions will take place during after-school hours, weekends, and school holidays.

Aims and Objectives
To enhance personal development through structured and informal learning opportunities.

To build confidence, resilience, and social skills in a safe, supportive environment.

To reduce isolation and increase engagement among young people outside of traditional school times.

To provide continuity of support for young people with complex needs, reinforcing the work undertaken during the school day.

Key Activities
Out-of-school hours activities will include, but are not limited to:

Outdoor adventure and bushcraft – supporting teamwork, problem-solving, and confidence.

Creative arts and crafts – offering expression, emotional regulation, and self-esteem building.

Mentoring and peer support groups – facilitated sessions for relationship building and reflection.

Cooking and life skills workshops – encouraging independence and practical competencies.

Academic catch-up and tuition sessions – to support young people who may have missed schooling or need extra help.

Wellbeing and mindfulness activities – including yoga, forest bathing, and therapeutic walks.

Target Group
These activities will be offered to:

Young people currently attending The WoodView Project.

Children and young people from local schools referred by SENCOs, pastoral teams, or local authority services.

Young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET), or at risk of exclusion.

Staffing and Safeguarding
All sessions will be led by our experienced team of educators, youth workers, and SEND professionals. Staff hold enhanced DBS checks and are trained in trauma-informed practice, safeguarding, and first aid.

Ratios will be kept low to ensure individualised support and safe supervision, in line with our core ethos.

Impact Measurement
The effectiveness of the programme will be measured through:

Participant feedback and case studies.

Engagement and attendance data.

Qualitative assessments of confidence, social interaction, and wellbeing.

Academic progress where applicable.

Conclusion
This proposal reflects The WoodView Project’s commitment to extending its support to young people beyond the school day. By creating additional opportunities for learning, connection, and development, we aim to make a lasting difference to the lives of those who need it most.

Believe it, then achieve it – at The WoodView Project.

​

​