Why AQA Unit Awards at MindJam? Tailored Learning, Real Impact
Our specialist Mentors already work creatively to support young people with emotional needs and Special Educational Needs (SEN). By weaving AQA Unit Awards into our MindJam sessions, we’re taking this personalised approach a step further, offering:
Choice and Ownership: Unlike a rigid curriculum, AQA Unit Awards allow young people to choose the units that genuinely excite them and align with their passions. Whether it’s developing specific digital skills, exploring game design, or enhancing their communication through collaborative play, they get to pick what they want to achieve. This sense of ownership is incredibly empowering and makes learning truly their own.
Recognition for Every Step: AQA Unit Awards celebrate individual achievements, no matter how small. For young people who may struggle with mainstream qualifications, these certificates provide vital recognition of their efforts and progress, building confidence and self-esteem.
A ‘Can-Do’ Approach: The AQA Unit Award Scheme focuses on what a young person can do, rather than what they cannot. This positive, strengths-based approach is at the heart of MindJam’s ethos, fostering a sense of accomplishment and encouraging continued engagement.
Retention & Reintegration: Fostering Engagement and Future Pathways
Our aim is to support young people to flourish in all areas of their lives, and for many, this includes successful school retention and reintegration. AQA Unit Awards play a key role in this process.
Proof of Progress for Schools and Parents: AQA certificates provide concrete, external validation of a young person’s learning and development. This evidence can be invaluable for school reviews, EHCPs, and demonstrating meaningful progress to parents and local authorities, even when attendance or engagement in school is challenging.
Rebuilding Learning Identity: For young people who’ve become disengaged, simply working on something they excel at, with a mentor who shares their interests, can rebuild their identity as a successful learner. This positive experience provides a vital counter-narrative to previous struggles, gently paving the way for re-engagement with education.
Skills for the Future: A portfolio of AQA certificates demonstrates a commitment to learning, digital literacy, and a diverse skill set. These are valuable assets that can significantly enhance a young person’s CV or application for further education, vocational training, or future employment, regardless of their mainstream academic profile.
Partnering for Success
MindJam is committed to working closely with parents, schools, and local authorities to ensure our AQA mentoring sessions align with individualised learning plans and broader educational goals. We invite you to speak with us about how our tailored approach and the power of AQA programmes can make a profound difference in a young person’s journey. Contact us today at hello@mindjam.org.uk or futures@mindjam.org.uk to discuss how MindJam can support the young people in your care.
FAQ'S
For answers to our most commonly asked questions regarding sessions, please visit the FAQs page.
Benefits of Gaming
Read our guide to the benefits of gaming, that looks at current research around health and wellbeing.
We'd love to hear from you.
If you would like our team to get in touch with you to discuss how we can help you and your young people through our services, please feel free to fill out our contact form, and we will be in touch as soon as possible to talk you through enrolling with one of our mentors or counsellors