University of the First Age

Get Sorted is a holder of an University of the First Age Fellows Award. This awarded to "schools, cluster group, local authority or community organisations" that have completed a specific area of UFA training and now offer this programme or activity.

The UFA is a national education charity. Founded in Birmingham in 1996 by Professor Tim Brighouse, we work with Local Authorities and other partners across the UK. The UFA is committed to working in innovative and creative ways with Local Authorities, schools, organisations, communities and individuals to enrich and extend learning for young people aged 5 to 25.

Our aim is to create an 'open' university for young people, so that they can access a range of challenging learning opportunities in and beyond their school. Being part of a 'university' in early life helps to raise aspirations, increases the likelihood of young people going on to Further and Higher Education and develops skills that will help them succeed in their future lives and employment.

Raising young people's aspirations and achievements by improving confidence and self-belief through exciting and memorable educational experiences is at the heart of what we do. Young people are supported through the UFA to become role models and leaders who develop and lead learning opportunities for others in their

The UFA explores imaginative approaches to training in order to engage teachers and other professionals, parents, carers, community organisations and businesses in transforming their own learning practice. From this training we create learning teams of the adults and young people with whom we work.

Get Sorted help Kimberworth "Foundation Get Musical!"

Get Sorted regularly hold School Workshops. This story is taken from the Kimberworth Community Primary School website where Get Sorted recently did some work.

"This week children from foundation have taken part in music workshops, run by ‘Get Sorted Academy of Music.’ The children played a variety of musical games which developed listening skills and their sense of rhythm. They copied and made up their own patterns using the drum shapes, they strummed and plucked guitars and they had the opportunity to conduct the class orchestra. They also learnt several new songs – ask your child to sing one to you at home!"

Music education is extremely important as music helps with literacy, maths, science, history, geography and other areas of the curriculum as well as developing the creativity in children and young people. Music improves co-ordination, memory, motor skills as well as helping to develop social skills and leadership skills.

Whatever your musical needs let us help you find the solution. Get Sorted provides a local voice for music in education and in the community by providing a wide range of music and arts workshops and activities and by supporting schools that do not have professional musicians in-house.

All our staff are CRB checked, friendly and experienced and most importantly enjoy making music with children and young people.

NCFE group complete their course!

Another group of Get Sorted students complete their NCFE courses and get their certificates in Music Technology!

Get Sorted Tutor Nathan Wilding writes: "Corie Adams, Thomas applegate, Kyle Clayton, Ryan Crawshaw, Jack Evans, James Jessop, Joe Marsh, connor Medlock, Liam Mousley and Michael Oldham have completed their NCFE level 1 Introductory award in Music Technology and have their certficates!"

In order to get their certificates the students had to complete 90 hours of guided learning, assist with recording studio operations, use multi-track loop sequencing software, use audio editing software amongst other things. For more information on this course follow the link to Qualification Details page on the NCFE website.

Get Sorted is a training provider for NCFE. "NCFE is a national awarding organisation. Awarding organisations design and award qualifications which recognise the skills, knowledge and understanding achieved by a learner at a particular level and in a particular subject.

We offer over 400 qualifications at different levels and in a wide range of subject areas. We also offer a growing portfolio of NVQs, as well as Basic and Functional Skills qualifications."

Lloyds TSB "Our Stories" Get Sorted Feature

An article taken from the Lloyds Banking Group website. The 'Our Stories' page contains a link detailing the grant given to Get Sorted!

The Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales provided a grant of £30,000 to Get Sorted Music Academy in Rotherham.

Get Sorted Music Academy runs music and creative workshops to enable young people to build their self-esteem and help them reach their creative potential. Workshops are aimed at young people who are not in employment, education or further training. The Academy also provides young people with the opportunity to develop important life skills, such as budgeting, time management and interview techniques.

The Foundation’s grant helps fund core costs for the Stepping Stones project, helping young people to develop and reach their goals through creative activities.

“The funding has enabled us to do more one-on-one work with hard-to-reach young people and has allowed us to devote 16 hours a week to the programme, instead of just two.”

- Genya Johnson, Get Sorted Music Academy.

“As I couldn’t get into college I found something to do at Get Sorted Music Academy. It’s a great place to learn new skills like music technology. I am gaining more education to try and get into college next time.”

- Nathan, 16-year-old learner on the Stepping Stones project.

Get Sorted and The Children's University.

The Children's University (CU) is holding a "Children's University Graduation" at the Magna Centre on July the 8th, and Get Sorted have been invited to attend a 'provider briefing' to see how it could become a CU provider following a pilot.

Rotherham CU graduates at Sheffield City Hall

 There has already been a graduation ceremony for Rotherham CU graduates. "More than 100 Rotherham children donned their caps and gowns to graduate from a very special university. They became the first to graduate from the Children's University in Rotherham during a ceremony at Sheffield City Hall."

However, the event on the 8th of July, which is expected to attract around 800 people, will be the first "Rotherham Borough Wide Graduation" and it is hoped that it will help build Rotherham Children's University.

"The Children's University is a national organisation that provides 7 to 14 year olds with exciting and innovative learning activities and experiences outside normal school hours. We celebrate achievement and reward participation through our certificates.

Raising children's aspirations is important to us and we aim to develop the understanding that learning can be the satellite navigation to better places in life!"

Beyond the Classroom

Get Sorted are working with Brinsworth Comprehensive School to bring Music to young people.

Get Sorted are involved in several workshops including Rap, Samba and Band Development workshops... and some of the young musicians will be performing at a concert later this year (keep your eyes on the blog for more details!)

Samba

A chance to experience Latin American Heat. Pupils will be taught Samba music as part of a large group working closely with staff from 'Get Sorted' in Rotherham to add flair and pazazz to our music department.

Pop Band Coaching
Students will form pop bands and develop their band skills. Working on guitars, basses, drums, keyboard and vocals, students will train themselves to become the next Kings of Leon.

That's a Rap
A small number of selected students will work with the team from 'Get Sorted' on their rapping and DJ'ing skills. They will use computer software to create their own tracks and record their own tracks.

Get Sorted Brochures

Get Sorted have a range of brochures outlining the services provided, that are available for download or in full colour print.

Donate to Get Sorted's Big Give 'Unite Together and Rap' project

"The Big Give is the intelligent way for proactive philanthropists to find and support charities..." Get Sorted is one of those charities and is currently seeking funding for the "Unite Together and Rap" (UTR) project.

The UTR project is aiming to get young and vulnerable Rotherhamers off the streets and put a mic in their hands. As the 'Big Idea' states, "Most of these young people use the streets as a leisure time activity which often results in turning to drink, drugs, gangs and crime."

Please follow the link to Get Sorted's UTR project Big Give page for more details on the project... and then donate to this project! With a recognised track record of getting the most out of young people, your pennies and pounds will go to good use in your town!