Our Offer
Curriculum
Our Aim
Red Balloon of the Air’s curriculum aims to re-engage learners in education, social settings and the world around them.
Learners are supported to become confident and resilient as some of the barriers they may have experienced in a previous learning environment have been removed, such as having to attend a physical setting every day or manage large groups of people. RBAir provides learners with the opportunity to access a broad and balanced curriculum, to find their voice, develop their sense of autonomy and explore where learning can take them, resulting in their own feelings of success.
RBAir’s core intentions are to:
- enable re-engagement with learning;
- address gaps and build the learner’s awareness of their ability to succeed;
- enable learners to access a broad and balanced range of subjects that can lead to appropriate qualifications through a ‘Stage not Age’ approach to individual learning and development;
- teach the necessary skills, knowledge and experience required in each subject that will prepare and lead to the acquisition of qualifications;
- support learners’ identified transition to further study, training or employment.
Learner Voice
Learners can join RBAir at multiple entry points during the academic year (usually at half-termly intervals). From the outset, learners are encouraged to have autonomy and voice their thoughts about what they would like to achieve by accessing RBAir provision. Giving learners a voice in the development of their programme of study encourages engagement with, and ownership of, learning. Shared interests, and acknowledgement of current knowledge, supports the re-engagement process and creates a position of strength for the learner as they explore new concepts and experiences.
Delivery
Our online sessions are live, teacher led, and can be 1:1, in pairs or in small groups of up to six. As learners gain confidence in a 1:1 setting they will progress to a pairs session with another learner studying at the same level, and then, when they’re ready, into a small group. There is also the possibility for in-person learning (both at RBAir’s Centre in Milton, Cambridge, and RBET’s Learning Hub in Danbury, Essex) to support exam preparation or deliver specific interventions to aid progress.
Our Offer
Our pre-qualification programme focuses on English, Maths, Science and PSHE as core subjects. Other enrichment subjects such as History, Animal Care and project-based learning are available if there is space within the commissioned package.
Learners who are following a qualification pathway can study up to three subjects per year, chosen from the subjects currently available, as listed below. We offer three subjects to allow time and space in the weekly timetable for the other social re-engagement, community and wellbeing elements.
We offer a range of qualification routes which can be tailored to suit the needs of the individual and their future aspirations. Qualifications can be studied alongside our post-16 programme, Preparing for Adulthood, which is designed to prepare learners for the next stage of their lives and independent living.
Subjects available at Red Balloon of the Air
Please see below for the subjects that are currently available at RBAir, and their qualification levels:
| GCSE | Astronomy |
| Biology | |
| Chemistry | |
| Computer Science | |
| English Language | |
| English Literature | |
| History (iGCSE) | |
| Maths | |
| Physics | |
| Psychology | |
| Sociology | |
| Functional Skills Entry Level | Maths |
| Functional Skills Level 1 and 2 | English Language |
| Maths | |
| Arts Award | Bronze, Silver |
| ASDAN (Short Course) | Animal Care |
| ASDAN (Long Course) | Animal Care |
AQA Unit Awards (Certificates)
In addition to the above, we offer AQA Unit Awards. These enable learners to study areas that are of particular interest to them and receive certification for successful completion.