Learning Programme
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The Learning Programme
 You will be here from 9.30 until 4.30.
 You will do Arts, Independence, Employment and
Functional Skills.
We offer a diverse programme which runs throughout the
academic year. Our curriculum has four key areas; Arts,
Independence, Employment and Functional Skills (Literacy,
Numeracy and ICT).
The programme starts at 9.30am and finishes at 4.30pm
each day. On occasions we may alter the times however you
will receive separate notification if the times change for an
event and/or performance.
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Our programme consists of a 30 week timetable and 8
intensive arts weeks. We offer a range of sessions including;
Drama, Music and Visual Arts, Planning for the Future, Work
Experience, Independence, Dance, Film Making, Podcasting,
and Music Technology. Our aim is for students to learn new
skills, build up their knowledge and gain confidence and selfesteem through participating in arts sessions that they can
apply and use in everyday life.
We specialise in working with young disabled adults who
have a physical and/or learning disability in transition from
school or college and are keen to work towards living a
meaningful and fulfilling adult life where they can be an
active citizen. We support young people to understand the
responsibilities of adulthood and empower them to take
control of key decisions and choices about their lives.
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Transition Groups
 You will work in a group
with other students.
 You need to choose some of
your sessions. You will get a letter saying this.
Students are split into four Transition Groups which reflect
where students are in their journey. Generally speaking the
Transition 1 Group is made of students at the beginning of
their journey, and the Transition 4 Group are students at the
end of their journey, but as everyone is on an individual
journey, students have been placed in groups also based on
their individual circumstances.
In your letter it will specify which Transition Group you are
in.
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Should you wish to withdraw from the Transition
Programme you need to provide one month’s notice in
writing to the Head of Learning.
As a student at Orpheus you have rights but also
responsibilities and these are set out in the Learning Charter
and Agreement which you will be asked to sign.
All students will have a named Personal Tutor who will
provide them with support and guidance during their
programme at Orpheus. The tutor is the students’ main
contact in the learning team and will plan tutorial meetings
during the year to monitor learning progression. As a full
time student you should expect nine tutorials per year and
pro rata for part time students. At the beginning of the year
your tutor will help you to identify your priorities for the
year, and with your course tutors you will set achievable and
challenging individual targets to help you work towards your
goals. We will record your targets in your Individual
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Learning Plan (ILP) and gather evidence of your working
towards your targets in our recording system, Snakes and
Ladders.
Attendance and Lateness
 You need to be on time to all
your sessions.
 You need to tell the Learning
Team if you will be late or absent.
Orpheus has an attendance and lateness policy and you are
expected to attend all sessions and to be on time for
sessions. We will provide support and guidance for those
who need it, but firmly believe this is an essential skill you
need to develop for the future.
We would ask that all students develop a professional
working ethic during their time at Orpheus and book all their
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non-urgent medical appointments outside of sessions as you
would do in the workplace. If you cannot attend you should
inform the Learning Team directly by either text or email by
9.00 a.m.
You can either send an email or text to 07766 40 41 42
With the message: learningteam@orpheus.org.uk + your
message (For example:learning@orpheus.org.uk Hi, its Jane I
will b l8 for Drama).
If there is a concern about your attendance or lateness you
will be required to attend a meeting with your Personal
Tutor and the Head of Learning, you will be put on a Report
Card for an agreed amount of time.
In the event of a cancelled session we endeavour to ensure
that any missed content is covered in the remaining
available weeks.
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In the event that the Learning programme is cancelled due
to bad weather or another unexpected incident we will post
information on our website. We will also endeavour to
contact people individually by e-mail or telephone.
We usually have THREE INSET DAYS per year where we will
not be running sessions. We will let you
know what these dates will be.
What you need to bring to
sessions
 You need a pencil case, notebook and diary.
Students are expected to have their own pencil case with
basic stationery items e.g. pens & pencils, glue, rubber, ruler,
scissors. Some students find it helpful to have a notebook to
write down any out of session work. We would ask all
students to provide an A5 communication book and/or diary.
We would encourage students to have a diary or calendar
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system they can use to keep track of appointments and
rehearsals etc.
Performance Opportunities
 You will be able to perform in
shows.
 You need to wear black clothes.
Throughout the academic year there will be a range of
performance opportunities, shows and outreach/in reach
projects. Students will be chosen according to choices you
have made within the programme, your commitment to the
project/course and suitability of your skills and experience to
the event. We monitor the participation of students in all
events to ensure that all students have fair access to
perform and share their work with others during the year.
All students need to have plain black clothes and shoes they
can wear for performances. It is important that it is simple,
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practical and plain black so that we look professional when
performing as a Company.
Personal Care
 You need to bring your own PA or use Orpheus
Domiciliary Care Service if you need support with
personal care.
If you require any support during the learning day with
personal care, you need to either bring your own PA or
alternatively you can register with the Orpheus Domiciliary
Care Service on 01883 741 443. The Domiciliary Care
Manager is called Sam Owen.
Arriving and leaving the Centre
 You will have an ID badge.
 You need to sign in and out.
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You will be issued with an Orpheus student badge when you
start at Orpheus. The use of ID cards is essential to ensure
security and safety of everyone at Orpheus. Please sign in
when you arrive and sign out when you go off site so we
have an accurate record of who is on site at any time. This is
used as a register if we have a fire evacuation so it is really
important.
Reception is open from 9am and there are dedicated staff to
support students who live off site to sign in when they arrive
and when they leave. If you live off site please do not arrive
before 9am as we cannot guarantee your safety and
supervision before this time.
Mobile Phones
 No mobile phones in sessions.
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Mobile phones should be turned off at all times during
session and are not to be used in the learning rooms. Your
phone is your own responsibility.
Should you need to have your phone switched on and take
an urgent or important call this must be discussed and
approved by your tutor at the beginning of a session.
Learning Rooms
We aim to provide high quality accessible spaces and
resources for learning. Please help us to take care of the
equipment and respect the rule of not eating in any of the
learning rooms. Only water is permitted as a drink.
Baseline
In Baseline you will find our computers. These are for you to
use in sessions and in your free time. You may also use the
computers to prepare for projects or presentations. The
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printers are to be used for session work- please do not use
them for personal use unless absolutely necessary.
You will be asked to sign an IT Policy when you start at
Orpheus which gives you guidance about how you can use
the computers and what you are not allowed to do. If you
are unsure please ask your personal tutor or the IT Support
staff.
All students are entitled to an individual session with the IT
Support staff to help you to your access Orpheus equipment
for learning.
We ask all students to be respectful of this area as there is
delicate and expensive equipment in Baseline.
Barn
The Barn is your Theatre Space, here you will rehearse for
shows and have most of your Drama and Dance sessions. In
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the Barn there is also a professional Recording studio and
lighting & sound box.
Recording Studio
We are extremely lucky to have a fully equipped,
professional Recording Studio available for sessions and to
record your music. When using the Recording Studio you
should be very careful to use the equipment with respect
and in a professional manner as you are dealing with very
sensitive pieces of kit.
Dry Studio
In this learning space you will have your Music sessions and
Band rehearsals. It is equipped with a selection of
instruments. We ask that you take good care of all the
instruments as they are delicate and expensive to replace.
All instruments must be put away safely at the end of a
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session. Should you choose to bring your instruments,
please remember it is up to you to keep them safe.
Clubs/Forum/Funky Friday
 There are clubs to join in between 3.30 and 4.30.
 On Friday afternoons we all share our work
together.
Between 3.30 and 4.30 we offer a range of enrichment and
social activities for students enrolled in the programme to
participate in. This is part of the learning day.
During intensive weeks these will not run as rehearsals will
happen at this time.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we offer a range of clubs
E.g. Book club, Relaxation, Aerobics, Debating. On a
Thursday we run a range of Forums for the three different
services we offer- Learning, Housing and Dom Care. For
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students who live ‘on site’ they can attend all forum
meetings and for students who live ‘off site’ they have the
opportunity to take part in just the Student Forum. This is a
chance to make a difference and make your voice heard by
other students. Students who live off site have volunteer
support they can access on the days the Housing and Dom
Care Forums are running where they can complete out of
session work with 1:1 support.
Friday we have a sharing called ‘Funky Friday’. This is a time
when the Orpheus Community comes together and have fun
sharing activities and celebrating achievements from
throughout the week. At times external guests share their
work in Funky Friday.
We hope you will enjoy learning at Orpheus, should you
have any questions you can ask any of our staff, who will
tell you who to see.
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The Learning Team
Vacant – Head of Learning
Patti Thomas Verweij – Transition Co-ordinator
Rachel Peck – Drama Tutor
Helen Jackson-Lyle – Drama Tutor
Chris Lammin – Music Tutor
Julie May – Independence Tutor
Janet Beatty – Independence Tutor
Sue Banner – Visual Arts Tutor
Emma Calvert – Visual Arts Tutor & LSA
Eddie Dyja – Film Tutor & LSA
Pam Whittingham – LSA
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Amanda Lewis – LSA
(We also have Industry based professional freelance tutors
who come in and run Intensive Weeks and Projects).
30 Week Timetable
Transition 1 Monday – Drama and Futures
Tuesday – Music and Functional Skills
Wednesday – Independence and Visual Arts
Transition 2 Monday – Futures and Music
Tuesday – Drama and Functional Skills
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Wednesday – Visual Arts and Independence
Transition 3 Monday - Music and Functional Skills
Tuesday – Visual Arts/ Independence and Futures/ Visual
Arts
Wednesday – Independence / Futures and Drama
Transition 4 Monday - Independence
Tuesday – Transition Planning and Music
Wednesday – Drama and Futures 3.
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Employment skills through the Arts –
Thursday
Devising for performance - You will take part in the
composing, devising, designing process for our Christmas
and Summer Show. You can choose to specialise in music,
drama or visual arts and will learn a range of work skills
through participating in this course.
Skills include: Acting, Research Skills, Team Working,
Literacy, Numeracy, Planning and Organisational Skills, ICT.
Employment Skills through the Arts - Friday
Dance – You will work with our partners StopGAP dance to
learn dance techniques and learn about the world of a
professional dance company. You will have the opportunity
to choreograph and perform your own work.
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Music Technology – You will develop your creativity through
experimenting with music technology and devising and
creating new work. In addition to this you will learn how to
use the recording studio and learn sound recording
techniques.
Band – You will be part of the Orpheus band that will
perform at the Centre and beyond. You will write your own
songs and improve your vocal/ instrumental technique. You
may also get the opportunity to record your work in the
studio.
Visual Arts – You will create works of art expressing your
own ideas. This may include two- dimensional works such as
drawing, painting and photography, as well as threedimensional work such as sculpture and installations. This
year we hope to run a project to produce a graphic novel
and have plans to work more closely with external exhibition
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spaces to share the student work with a wider audience and
gain inspiration from other artists.
Film – You will be part of a group that makes short films and
will learn about the full production process from generating
ideas and storyboarding to shooting the film and post
production.
Podcasting – You will learn how to create an audio podcast.
You will put together all elements of the podcast including
interviews, creative writing and other features.
Skills include: Research Skills, Team Working, Literacy,
Numeracy, Planning and Rehearsing Skills, Organisational
Skills, ICT, Roles and Responsibilities, Health and Safety, Skills
Qualities and Attitudes for Work, Presentation and
Performance skills
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8 Intensive Weeks/ Projects
Song Week
World Music Week
Christmas Show
Drama Week
Music / Visual Arts Week
Summer Show
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