How does it work?
Deliberately informal, around 1000 xl clubs
across the UK help young people who are facing difficulties at
school, including those at risk of exclusion.
xl clubs operate in schools on a ‘closed’ two year
programme with between 12 and 15 members. They meet for at
least three hours a week and, guided by an xl club Adviser,
club members are encouraged to work together to achieve goals
relating to their education, training and future lives.
xl clubs work towards The Prince’s Trust xl Award accredited by
ASDAN, which gives club members an award in the ‘Wider Key Skills’
of Problem Solving, Working with Others and Improving own Learning,
as well as recognising achievement in five key areas including
citizenship and entrepreneurship.
Find out how xl fits with the outcomes of
Every Child Matters
xl clubs are also founded outside the mainstream, for example in
PRUs (Pupil Referral Units) and YOIs (Young Offender Institutions),
but have only around 8 members and operate on a full time basis for
fewer weeks.
Who is eligible?
Schools
Young people aged 14-16 who:
- Volunteer to join the club.
- Are facing a range of difficulties at school such as;
truanting, risk of exclusion and educational underachievement.
Outside Mainstream
Young people aged 14-19 who:
- Volunteer to join the club
- Young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties
How does it help?
Participants can:
- Improve confidence and self-esteem
- Increase attendance and motivation and improve their chances of
completing compulsory schooling
- Increase the number of qualifications attempted
- Enhance citizenship and community awareness
- Improve the quality of their evidence for the National Record
of Achievement
- Improve social skills and behaviour in schools
Key facts
To date, xl has helped over 58,000 young people.
- Each year, the xl network holds celebration events for xl club
members conferences for xl club Advisers.
- There are currently over 1000 clubs in about 590 schools and
centres across the UK