# Red Balloon of the Air


## Pages

- [Testimonials](https://www.rbair.org.uk/testimonials/): We regularly ask parents/carers and learners for their feedback about Red Balloon of the Air. Below is a selection of their comments; we hope you find them useful as you consider whether we are the right provision for your young person. The artwork has been created by staff and learners!
- [AI Risks](https://www.rbair.org.uk/ai-risks/): What is AI? Artificial intelligence (AI) is the use of computer systems to solve problems and make decisions. It’s already a part of everyday life – for example, AI is used to giving you personalised suggestions on social media, shopping sites or route-planning apps. If you’ve used Alexa, Siri or any other type of voice recognition system, then you’ve been using AI. Increasingly, AI expresses concepts in ways that may seem humanlike; but computers cannot think, empathise or reason.  If you’d like to read more about AI, here is an informative BBC article: What is AI? A simple guide to […]
- [Additional Support](https://www.rbair.org.uk/additional-support/): We understand that young people and their parent(s)/carer(s) often experience difficult challenges in life, and that finding the right support is not always easy. Please find below a list of organisations that may be able to help. SEN Support ‘Local offers‘, are the best place to find information on support groups, events and activities in your area: Here are a few examples of local organisations that support SEN parent(s)/carer(s): Support for young people There are many organisations specifically designed to help young people, this is a selection: More support for parent(s)/carer(s) There are other organisations which parent(s)/carer(s) may find useful.
- [Surveys](https://www.rbair.org.uk/surveys/): Many thanks to all of our learners and their parents/carers who recently completed our 24/25 Annual Survey – your opinions and comments are vital in helping us to consider what is going well and where we can improve. The results of our surveys have been collected and summaries are shown below. If you have any queries about the results, or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact our Admin Team (admin@rbair.org.uk) who will be happy to help.
- [PSHE](https://www.rbair.org.uk/pshe/): At Red Balloon of the Air, Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) plays a vital role in the development of our learners. We strive to deliver content that not only fulfills the requirements of the curriculum but is also deeply relevant. Through tailored material and meaningful discussion, RBAir’s goal is for our learners to be empowered and inspired to embrace life’s opportunities.  Delivered by a small specialist team, in a safe and respectful learning environment, PSHE is underpinned by our core values of unconditional positive regard, mutual respect, inclusion and collaboration. As members of the PSHE Association and a Life […]
- [RBET Learning Hub, Danbury, Essex](https://www.rbair.org.uk/rbet-learning-hub-danbury-essex/): Red Balloon Educational Trust (RBET) has a learning hub in Danbury, Essex, which works in partnership with Red Balloon of the Air. Unfortunately, the RBET Learning Hub is not able to consider referrals at the current time. Who do we support? We support learners who: For news and events, please click here. RBET Learning Hub, Danbury, Essex 9 Little Baddow Road,Danbury,Chelmsford,Essex,CM3 4QB Telephone: 01245 905014 Email: essex@rbet.ac
- [Key Centre Information](https://www.rbair.org.uk/key-centre-information/): Contact information for RBET’s Learning Hub in Danbury, Essex, can be found here.
- [Exam Results](https://www.rbair.org.uk/exam-results/): The figures shown below represent the whole cohort of RBAir learners sitting exams in the core subjects (English, Maths and Science) in the summer of each academic year. Please note that, due to the extended timelines that our special educational provision offers, it is possible for learners to sit examinations between Year 10 and Year 15 (chronological ages 15 – 20); as such, the figures do not necessarily represent Key Stage 4 learners only. Summer 2025 Results GCSEs All the learners entered for the following GCSEs achieved a pass. The percentage of those learners gaining grades 4-9 are as follows: […]
- [Online Safety](https://www.rbair.org.uk/online-safety/): Understanding online risks Young people can encounter various risks online, including exposure to cyberbullying, accessing inappropriate content or people, and potential privacy violations if their personal data is shared and misused. How RBAir ensures online safety At RBAir, we take several proactive steps across policy, education and training to ensure the online safety of our learners: Monitoring and filtering What is Smoothwall Monitor?  Smoothwall Monitor is a human moderated digital monitoring solution. If any unusual digital behaviours which signal a young person is at risk are detected, an alert is sent to the RBAir Safeguarding Team and logged automatically in our safeguarding […]
- [Job Vacancies](https://www.rbair.org.uk/job-vacancies/): There are no vacancies at the current time.
- [News and Events](https://www.rbair.org.uk/news-and-events/): We have no events at the current time.
- [Term Dates](https://www.rbair.org.uk/term-dates/): Term Dates 2025-26 Autumn Term 2025 Monday 8th September – Friday 12th December Half Term: Monday 27th October – Friday 31st October Staff Training: Wednesday 3rd September, Thursday 4th September, Friday 5th September Spring Term 2026  Wednesday 7th January – Friday 27th March Half Term: Monday 16th February – Friday 20th February  Staff Training: Monday 5th January, Tuesday 6th January Summer Term 2026 Monday 13th April – Friday 10th July Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4th May  Half Term: Monday 25th May – Friday 29th May
- [Online Learning Tools](https://www.rbair.org.uk/online-learning-tools/): Learners studying with Red Balloon of the Air predominantly receive their academic and pastoral support via Microsoft. This provides many ‘apps’, most of which run from anywhere, in a web browser or app on your computer, which are preinstalled on all RBAir laptops. They are all linked together, and can be shared by learners, teachers and therapists – all of whom are working and collaborating online together in real time. Teachers at RBAir also make use of lots of free online learning tools including, but not limited to: BBC Bitesize, Seneca, Quizlet, corbettmaths.com, mathsbot.com, Transum.org and Focus E-Learning. Links for […]
- [Progress and Performance](https://www.rbair.org.uk/progress-and-performance/): How is progress and performance monitored at Red Balloon of the Air? Progress and performance management at RBAir involves systematically monitoring and assessing each learner’s academic progress and performance. Social, emotional and mental health development are integral to our provision. We monitor engagement and attendance through our Individual Provision Plan (IPP) system, which aligns with EHCP outcomes. RBAir uses Arbor, a Management Information System, to centralise, manage and analyse data such as exams, internal assessments, termly reports, attendance and profile data for all learners and staff (please see ‘Online Learning Tools’ for more information about Arbor). The RBAir Senior Leadership Team and […]
- [Timetable](https://www.rbair.org.uk/timetable/): Red Balloon of the Air’s daily timetable is split into six 50-minute sessions with the following timings (please note that learners are unlikely to have sessions in every possible slot): We have a 10-minute rest time between Sessions 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6 to allow our learners to step away from their laptop, e.g. a small movement break or a chance to rest their eyes from the screen. Our timetable is live which means for each session on the timetable, the teacher will be online, ready to start. When learners start with us, their timetable will […]
- [SMSC](https://www.rbair.org.uk/smsc/): The spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) elements of our learners’ journey are woven into everything that we do, underpinned by our ethos of supporting learners to Engage and Rebuild. We value the importance of SMSC to develop an understanding of self and others, a recognition of differences and commonalities, empathy and self-reflection. How do we deliver SMSC? Red Balloon of the Air delivers SMSC through the curriculum, therapy sessions, time with Link Mentors, Online Community (which invites small groups to agree on areas to explore, e.g. the environment, as well as linking with national recognition days, such as World […]
- [About Us](https://www.rbair.org.uk/about-us/): Red Balloon of the Air (RBAir) is part of Red Balloon Educational Trust (RBET) and is based in Milton, Cambridge. RBAir is a special educational provision offering a hybrid of online and face-to-face support to learners aged 11 (Y7) – 20 (last admission at age 18). We welcomed our first learners in 2011 and since that time we have supported many young people to re-engage with their education, and achieve qualifications alongside, building up confidence in their social skills and improving their wellbeing.   Learners are taught online through live, interactive sessions, either individually or as part of a small group.  Red […]
- [Annual Reports](https://www.rbair.org.uk/annual-reports/): The Red Balloon Educational Trust produces an annual report for the work undertaken across the Trust, including RBAir. The Trust’s most recent reports are available below. 2022/232021/222020/212019/20
- [Inspection Reports](https://www.rbair.org.uk/inspection-reports/): There are no inspection reports to display at the current time.
- [Policies](https://www.rbair.org.uk/policies/): RBAir policies are regularly reviewed by the Headteacher, Executive Headteacher and RBET Trustees. The Chair of RBET Trustees signs a policy list (held in RBET’s Head Office in Milton, Cambridge) to indicate that this has been carried out. Names of ‘responsible staff’ (e.g. Examinations Officer) as required within policies are also available from RBET’s Head Office in Milton, Cambridge. You can find information on RBAir’s Ethos and Aims here. Complaints Our Complaints Policy (linked above) is also available from RBET’s Head Office in Milton, Cambridge. All complaints are recorded and kept confidentially. Academic Year 2024 – 2025: Red Balloon of the Air […]
- [Transitions](https://www.rbair.org.uk/transitions/): Relative to their peers in mainstream school settings, RBAir learners may not be aware of the range of post-16 opportunities potentially available to them, due to the significant time missed from school. Additionally, we have found that the challenges our learners face have often left them unable to think about their future.  Giving learners the time, information and experience to gain insight into suitable ‘next step’ pathways is key to their success in achieving a positive transition onwards from RBAir. The core purpose of our Careers and Transitions Programme is:  Careers Advice at Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and […]
- [Safeguarding](https://www.rbair.org.uk/safeguarding/): RBAir aims to keep its learners safe by: Attendance RBAir closely monitors a learner’s arrival online. If a learner has not joined a session within 5 minutes (or leaves a session or is non-responsive) our Admin Team will attempt to reach all emergency contacts for the learner. If this is unsuccessful, the matter will be escalated to the Safeguarding Team. Please click here to view our Attendance Policy or here for our Attendance Strategy. In addition to the above, we ensure that we embed all legislative requirements and guidance across our hybrid provision delivery platform through our robust policies and […]
- [SEND](https://www.rbair.org.uk/send/): All learners at Red Balloon of the Air are recognised as having special educational needs and disability (SEND) requirements. The curriculum is delivered via a learning platform which uses a hybrid model; this incorporates an online delivery method and face-to-face opportunities at RBAir’s Centre in Milton, Cambridge, and RBET’s Learning Hub in Danbury, Essex, for social re-engagement and other specific interventions.  This model enables learners to engage with learning and reduces the stresses of a face-to-face class or group interaction. The pace of progress and delivery is tailored to the individual and each young person is given time to establish […]
- [EAL](https://www.rbair.org.uk/eal/): Learners with English as an additional language (EAL) will have a wide variety of needs and will have strengths and weaknesses in different skills. On admission there will be an Initial Assessment with parent(s)/carer(s) and an interpreter may be sought if necessary. This meeting is important in gaining understanding of the learner’s starting point and context, and to get to know them as an individual.  Information to clarify the needs of a learner would include establishing an understanding of: This initial meeting will enable the identification of the skills the learner needs to develop in order to effectively access the […]
- [Admissions](https://www.rbair.org.uk/admissions/): Thank you for your interest in Red Balloon of the Air; we hope that we can support you/your young person.  Who can we help? Our specialist setting supports young people who: 1Unfortunately, we cannot consider referrals for young people in Y6. We are currently able to support learners from these Local Authorities: Cambridgeshire, Essex (four quadrants), Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Peterborough and Suffolk. Our Offer RBAir offers a hybrid of online and face-to-face support to learners. Our holistic provision focuses on the core areas of education, therapy, social re-engagement and enrichment activities. Academic elements are predominantly delivered online; […]
- [Social Re-engagement](https://www.rbair.org.uk/social-re-engagement/): What is social re-engagement? Our Offer Our social re-engagement offer allows learners to access groups, activities, trips and events, which will be at their pace.  Through trusted relationships with Link Mentors and pastoral staff, each learner will be supported to build confidence, resilience and self-esteem to engage in these social activities during their time with us. 
- [Therapy](https://www.rbair.org.uk/therapy/): As part of Red Balloon of the Air’s wellbeing provision, weekly, term-time therapy sessions, with qualified therapists, are offered to all our learners. The weekly timetabled therapy sessions are offered either online, in person, or by telephone for learners based both at RBAir’s Centre in Milton, Cambridge, and RBET’s Learning Hub in Danbury, Essex.  Therapy is on offer to all our learners; however, it is not a compulsory addition to the timetable. The learner can choose when, and if, they would like to start with the help of their Link Mentor, who will then speak with the Therapy Team Lead.  If a […]
- [Curriculum](https://www.rbair.org.uk/curriculum/): RBAir’s core intentions are to: Learner Voice Delivery Our Offer Our pre-qualification programme focuses on English, Maths, Science and PSHE as core subjects. Learners explore wider curriculum areas through project work. 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 […]
- [Preparing for Adulthood](https://www.rbair.org.uk/preparing-for-adulthood/): As part of our provision for learners aged 16-20, we offer a programme based on the Preparing for Adulthood framework and the Gatsby Benchmarks. At Red Balloon of the Air, this is known as Step4Ward. Step4Ward offers a suite of modules which are delivered face to face, in small groups and are run alongside the learner’s GCSE and/or Functional Skills programme. This enables our learners to gain formal qualifications together with the social skills, life experience and confidence to move onto a further education college course, employment or training/apprenticeship placement. There are three key modules: Independent Living Skills, Future Pathways and […]
- [Ethos and Aims](https://www.rbair.org.uk/ethos-and-aims/): Red Balloon of the Air (RBAir) is a special educational provision that delivers a hybrid offer of interactive online and in-person sessions in a safe environment1. We support young people aged 11 (Y7) – 20 (last admission at age 18), who are unable to attend mainstream school. The young people who join us have often had a disrupted educational journey, predominantly have social and emotional mental health (SEMH) needs, and are finding many aspects of life challenging.  We support young people to Engage and Rebuild so that they will make progress by: 1 The online interactive platform has security filtering […]
- [Trust/Trustees Information](https://www.rbair.org.uk/trust-trustees-information/): Red Balloon of the Air is part of the Red Balloon Educational Trust (RBET). Further information on RBET can be found here. Please visit the RBET website for details on our Trustees via this link.
- [Meet the Team](https://www.rbair.org.uk/meet-the-team/): Our staff team consists of a senior leadership team, teachers, therapists, Link Mentors, the administration and support teams, external contractors and volunteers. Senior Leadership Team Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead Hannah Curry Assistant Headteacher and Provision Lead for the Learning Hub in Danbury, Essex Liz Smart SENDCo Alison Bigglestone Head of Administration and Assistant SENDCo Pookie Russell Department Heads Head of Administration Pookie Russell Head of English Helen Green Head of Maths and Sciences Andrew Wilson Head of PSHE, SMSC and Online Community Elaine Beattie Teaching Team Teacher of Art Laura Love Teacher of Computer Science Vimesh Narbheram Teacher of […]
- [Headteacher's Welcome](https://www.rbair.org.uk/welcome/): Welcome! Thank you for looking at our website and I hope you enjoy reading more about Red Balloon of the Air (RBAir). We are a specialist setting, offering a hybrid of online and face-to-face support to young people (aged 11-20, last admission at age 18) who are unable to access education in a mainstream setting and who, typically, are socially isolated.
- [Contact Us](https://www.rbair.org.uk/contact-us/): Ways to Get in Touch General Enquiries For general enquiries, please email admin@rbair.org.uk or call us on 01223 354338 where our Reception staff will be happy to help you. Reporting Absence For reporting absence, please telephone 01223 354338 as soon as possible. Contact information for RBET’s Learning Hub in Danbury, Essex, can be found here RBAir closely monitors a learner’s arrival online. If a learner has not joined a session within 5 minutes (or leaves a session or is non-responsive) our Admin Team will attempt to reach all emergency contacts for the learner. If this is unsuccessful, the matter will […]
- [Home](https://www.rbair.org.uk/): Welcome to Red Balloon of the Air About Us Red Balloon of the Air (RBAir) is part of Red Balloon Educational Trust (RBET) and is based in Milton, Cambridge. RBAir is a special educational provision offering a hybrid of online and face-to-face support to learners aged 11 (Y7) – 20 (last admission at age 18). We welcomed our first learners in 2011 and since that time we have supported many young people to re-engage with their education, and achieve qualifications… Engage and Rebuild
- [Privacy and Cookies Policy](https://www.rbair.org.uk/privacy-policy/): Effective Date: 13/03/2025 At Red Balloon of the Air, we are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy and Cookies Policy explains how we collect, use, and disclose information when you visit our website. By using our website, you agree to the terms of this Privacy and Cookies Policy. 1. Information We Collect When you visit our website, we may collect certain information automatically through the use of analytics tools. This information may include: 2. Use of Analytics We use Jetpack for analytics purposes. Jetpack helps us understand how visitors engage with our website by collecting usage data, such as […]


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