Creative Futures – Personal Development, Employability & Creative Learning
Course Outline
Creative Futures is an inclusive, creative and culturally responsive alternative education programme designed to re-engage young people in learning, develop confidence, raise aspirations and support positive progression.
The programme combines practical, experiential learning with personal development, careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG), employability skills and emotional wellbeing support.
Learners participate in a range of activities tailored to their interests, abilities and individual development needs, including:
• Creative Arts and Digital Skills: Music production, recording, performing arts, creative expression, digital media and collaborative projects.
• Personal Development and Wellbeing: Self-awareness, emotional regulation, resilience, confidence, identity, positive relationships and communication.
• Careers and Employability: Career exploration, identifying strengths, transferable skills, goal-setting, workplace expectations, interview preparation and progression planning.
• Practical Life Skills: Problem-solving, teamwork, decision-making, financial awareness, food preparation and independent living skills.
• Physical Activity and Wellbeing: Sports, movement, teamwork and activities promoting physical and emotional wellbeing.
• Cultural Awareness and Belonging: Exploring identity, diversity, inclusion, respectful relationships and the importance of positive representation.
Accredited Learning Opportunities Learners aged 14+ can work towards Level 1 Personal Development and Employability (PDE), completing individual units, a full Award or a Certificate according to their needs, readiness and learning goals.
Programme Structure and Progression
The core programme runs for 12 weeks, with opportunities to extend provision up to an academic year where commissioned and appropriate. Delivery is provided in small groups, with individual learning goals, regular progress reviews and personalised support.
The programme can be adapted to support CAP Tier 2 Aspirational and Therapeutic pathways, alongside agreed Tier 3 provision, with activities and outcomes tailored to individual learner needs. Our aim is to equip young people with the confidence, practical skills, knowledge and opportunities to make informed choices and progress positively into education, training, employment and wider life."
Course Modules
"Creative Futures™ – Personal Development, Creative Enterprise and Employability Programme Level: Individually tailored to learner starting points, with optional Level 1 accreditation for learners aged 14+.
Duration: 12 weeks | 2 × 4-hour sessions weekly | 96 hours.
Core Learning Units:
1. Identity, Belonging and Self-Discovery – Exploring personal identity, culture, strengths, values, interests, aspirations and positive relationships.
2. Mindset, Emotional Awareness and Resilience – Recognising limiting beliefs, understanding emotions and behaviour, developing coping strategies, self-awareness and resilience.
3. Communication, Assertiveness and Self-Advocacy – Developing communication skills, confidence, personal boundaries, respectful relationships and the ability to express opinions and advocate for oneself.
4. Digital Awareness and Online Safety – Understanding digital footprints, consent, privacy, online relationships, cyber safety and responsible technology use.
5. Financial Awareness and Independence – Exploring budgeting, income, expenditure, saving, borrowing, consumer choices and practical financial decision-making.
6. Creative Enterprise and Project Development – Generating ideas, exploring creative interests, developing projects, teamwork, leadership, planning, marketing, budgeting and responding to feedback.
7. Real-World Application and Community Engagement – Applying learning through learner-led projects, creative productions, enterprise activities, performances, exhibitions, campaigns or community initiatives.
8. Careers Education and Employability – Exploring careers, education and training pathways, apprenticeships, transferable skills, employer expectations, workplace rights and responsibilities.
9. Progression Planning and Personal Achievement – Developing CVs, applications, interview confidence, personal progression plans and identifying meaningful next steps.
Creative Futures Project Journey
Learners undertake an individual or collaborative creative project, progressing through exploration, experimentation, planning, creation, testing, improvement, sharing and reflection. Activities and outcomes are shaped by learner interests, strengths and aspirations.
Optional Accreditation Learners aged 14+ may complete individual Level 1 Personal Development and Employability (PDE) units, a full Award or Certificate through Highfield Qualifications, where appropriate. Progress is evidenced through individual learning goals, reflective activities, practical projects, learner portfolios and progression planning. The programme is flexible and can be adapted to meet individual learner needs and commissioned CAP pathways.
Awarding Body
Highfield
Student Expected Outcomes
Overall Programme Aim
For every learner to leave Creative Futures with greater confidence, increased self-awareness, practical life and employability skills, and a clearer understanding of their future opportunities, enabling them to make informed decisions and progress positively towards education, training, employment or further support.
Intended Outcomes
1. Confidence, Identity and Belonging
Learners will develop increased self-awareness, self-esteem and confidence, enabling them to recognise their strengths, interests and achievements. They will develop a stronger sense of identity, belonging and self-worth, supporting positive personal growth and engagement.
2. Emotional Wellbeing and Resilience
Learners will increase their understanding of emotions, behaviour and wellbeing, developing effective coping strategies, emotional regulation skills and resilience to manage challenges both within and beyond the programme.
3. Communication and Relationships
Learners will improve their communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills, becoming more confident in expressing themselves, advocating for their needs and building positive, respectful relationships with peers, family members and professionals.
4. Engagement and Participation
Learners will demonstrate increased motivation, attendance and active participation in learning activities, showing greater willingness to engage in new experiences, take positive risks and challenge themselves.
5. Digital and Financial Literacy
Learners will develop a greater understanding of online safety, responsible digital engagement, budgeting, financial decision-making and practical independent living skills to support future independence and personal responsibility.
6. Creativity, Enterprise and Practical Skills
Learners will develop creative thinking, organisational, leadership and problem-solving skills through participation in learner-led projects, enterprise activities and real-world experiences. They will gain confidence in generating ideas, planning activities and evaluating outcomes.
7. Careers Awareness and Employability
Learners will increase their understanding of career pathways, further education, apprenticeships, employment opportunities and workplace expectations. Through careers information, advice and guidance, they will identify transferable skills and develop greater confidence in planning for their future.
8. Accredited Achievement
Where appropriate, learners aged 14 and over may achieve Level 1 Personal Development and Employability (PDE) units, an Award or Certificate, providing formal recognition of their achievements and supporting progression opportunities.
9. Positive Progression
Each learner will develop a personalised progression plan outlining achievements, aspirations and realistic next steps towards education, training, employment or additional support, ensuring continued development beyond the programme.
Measuring Impact
Learner progress and programme effectiveness will be evaluated through a range of qualitative and quantitative measures, including:
Initial assessments and baseline measures.
Individual learning and development goals.
Regular learner reflections and self-assessments.
Facilitator observations and feedback.
Evidence from creative projects and practical activities.
Learner portfolios and recorded achievements.
End-of-programme reviews and evaluations.
Attendance, participation and engagement records.
Where appropriate, six-month and twelve-month progression reviews will be undertaken to assess longer-term impact, monitor sustained outcomes and provide additional guidance and support to learners as they progress into education, training, employment or other positive destinations.
Key Stage course delivered to
KS3, KS4, KS5
Admissions Criteria
Creative Futures is designed for secondary-aged learners who would benefit from an alternative, creative and personalised approach to education, personal development and progression.
The programme is suitable for young people who may be experiencing disengagement from mainstream education, low confidence or self-esteem, social, emotional or behavioural challenges, reduced motivation, or uncertainty about their future education, training and career pathways.
We welcome learners from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, including those who may benefit from additional support with communication, emotional wellbeing, positive relationships, identity and belonging.
Admissions are considered through the CAP referral process, with an individual needs assessment to determine suitability, identify reasonable adjustments and ensure the programme can safely and effectively meet the learner's needs. Learners aged 14+ may access Level 1 Personal Development and Employability (PDE) accredited units, an Award or a Certificate, depending on their individual starting points, readiness and learning goals.
Creative Futures can support learners through Tier 2 Aspirational and Therapeutic pathways and, where appropriate and agreed with CAP, Tier 3 specialist provision.
Staff Experience
Staff Experience Delivering Creative Futures Creative Futures is delivered by a multidisciplinary team with extensive professional experience across education, pastoral support, mentoring, careers guidance, personal development, creative engagement and programme management.
Renae Burchell – Co-Founder and Director
Renae is an experienced educator and learning and development professional with a background in SEMH, secondary education, further education and corporate learning. Her expertise includes curriculum development and programme management, personal development, careers information, advice and guidance, inclusive teaching, coaching and leadership development. She has developed personal development and careers programmes for Key Stage 4 learners and brings additional academic and practical expertise in sports psychology, strength and conditioning.
Rebekah (Bex) Ardron – Co-Founder and Director
Bex brings professional experience in educational operations, careers and learning services, quality assurance, programme management and organisational improvement. Her expertise supports effective programme delivery, learner progression, educational quality and the development of inclusive, learner-centred provision.
Wesley (Looch) Bailey – Pastoral Support and Mentoring
Looch is a professionally qualified mentor with over 15 years' experience working in schools and colleges throughout Coventry in pastoral support roles. He was also a musical artist in his younger years and has worked hard to connect communities throughout the city. His extensive experience includes supporting young people within educational settings, building positive relationships and providing individualised pastoral and mentoring support. He brings valuable knowledge of the challenges young people can face in education and the importance of trusted relationships, consistent support and personalised approaches to engagement, wellbeing and progression. Tesfa Lennox – Creative Content & Engagement Manager Tesfa supports creative learning, digital content and learner engagement within Creative Futures. He has substantial experience in music production and engineering and has worked as a business development manager supporting businesses up and down the country with their development needs. His role includes facilitating creative experiences, supporting music and digital media activities, encouraging self-expression and helping learners develop confidence, teamwork and transferable skills through practical projects. Collective Expertise and Delivery Approach The team combines qualified mentoring and extensive pastoral experience with educational leadership, careers guidance, creative facilitation and programme development. Together, they deliver a person-centred, culturally responsive and trauma-informed approach that recognises individual learner needs, promotes belonging and builds confidence through positive relationships and meaningful learning experiences. Delivery follows The SWAG Way - developmental framework (Be heard, Be you, Be your future), incorporating small-group learning, individual support, practical activities, ongoing assessment and personalised progression planning.
Delivery Area
Creative Futures is delivered at Coventry Methodist Central Hall, providing a welcoming, inclusive and stimulating environment with access to a range of specialist facilities and creative learning spaces. Facilities include a music studio, musical instruments, sports hall, kitchen facilities, hair and beauty, painting and decorating and flexible learning spaces that support a wide variety of practical, creative and educational activities. These spaces enable learners to participate in music production, recording, performing arts, physical activities, food preparation, collaborative projects, careers exploration and hands-on learning experiences. Our approach encourages learners to explore different interests, discover their strengths, develop practical and transferable skills and build confidence through meaningful, real-world experiences. Learning environments and activities are adapted to individual needs, creating opportunities for creativity, self-expression, personal development and progression in a safe, supportive and culturally inclusive setting.
Programme length
Up to an academic year
Transport Provided
Can be organised
Days Of Delivery
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Times of Delivery
0930-230
Well-being assessment tools
"SWAG Youth CIC uses a person-centred, strengths-based approach to assessing and monitoring learner wellbeing and personal development. Assessment methods include: • Initial learner assessment: Identifying individual starting points, strengths, interests, aspirations, emotional wellbeing and support needs. • Individual learning and development goals: Establishing personalised targets relating to confidence, resilience, communication, emotional awareness and engagement. • Regular wellbeing check-ins: Providing opportunities for learners to reflect on their feelings, experiences, relationships and progress. • Learner self-assessment and reflection: Encouraging learners to recognise changes in confidence, emotional regulation, self-esteem and personal development. • Facilitator observations: Monitoring participation, engagement, relationships, communication and developing independence. • SWAG learner portfolio and progress profile: Recording individual achievements, reflections, development and progression. • End-of-programme review: Comparing learner progress against initial assessments and agreed targets, identifying achievements and ongoing support needs. Assessment is embedded throughout the programme and adapted to individual learner needs, with relevant progress shared with referring schools and professionals where appropriate."
Staff Ratio
Group (1:5)
Additional Notes
"Creative Futures – Delivery Arrangements
• Programme duration: 12 weeks, with the option to extend up to an academic year where commissioned.
• Delivery frequency: Two days per week.
• Session duration: Four hours per day, including lunch.
• Total programme hours: 96 hours.
• Group size: Small groups of up to five learners, maintaining a 1:5 staff-to-learner ratio.
• Minimum attendance: Two sessions per week to complete the full programme.
• Delivery location: Coventry Methodist Central Hall, Warwick Lane, Coventry CV1 2HA.
The programme provides a structured yet flexible approach, with learning activities adapted to individual needs, abilities and starting points. Learners benefit from personalised support, practical and creative activities, regular progress reviews and opportunities to develop confidence, independence and progression skills. Additional individual support and reasonable adjustments can be considered following referral and assessment of learner needs."
Cost of Course
£170 per learner per day (4-hour session), including lunch.
