Proc-26-84 Heritage and Traditional Skills Project

Overview

UK 6 - Contract Award Notice WCBC Gorwelion Newydd - Provision of a community and alternative education provision provider whose specialism lies within heritage and traditional skills, with proven experience to support the delivery of an expanded service provision across wider school community. The service to be provided. As part of the Education Department, the Council has a statutory responsibility to ensure the delivery of high quality education for all learners. The Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) Service provides specialist support for children and young people with complex educational needs who require an alternative to mainstream provision. The most recent Estyn inspection recognised both the quality of this service and the positive steps taken to broaden the curriculum for learners accessing PRU support. Despite these strengths, Wrexham County Borough Council (WCBC) acknowledges that further action is required to meet the needs of young people who are at risk of disengaging from mainstream education. Demand for places across the three PRU sites continues to exceed capacity. To address this challenge, WCBC proposes to build on the success of the UKSPF Best EET Forward project (completed April 2026) by offering an equitable programme of heritage crafts, traditional skills, and green space development across secondary schools. This programme will operate in addition to WCBC’s statutory duties and existing budgets. Early intervention remains central to improving life chances. WCBC views this project as a key mechanism for helping young people remain successfully engaged in mainstream education by providing additional, targeted provision within their own secondary schools. Through previous initiatives, including the Multiply project and the Best EET Forward project, WCBC has already piloted a range of practical, heritage based learning opportunities. These have included sessions in traditional construction skills, permaculture, and blacksmithing, delivered in partnership with specialist providers. These programmes have had a significant positive impact on learners, many of whom have expressed a strong interest in exploring employment pathways within the heritage construction and land based sectors. At a senior leadership level, WCBC will design and coordinate delivery to ensure the programme targets young people aged 11+ who are most at risk of becoming disengaged with mainstream education. WCBC will work closely with secondary schools and its procured delivery partner, who are best placed to identify suitable learners. Together, they will offer new programmes of learning designed to enhance engagement and build confidence.