Course description

A focused professional learning journey.

Early school leaving is rarely caused by a single event. It develops through the interaction of learning difficulty, weak belonging, transitions, family circumstances, wellbeing, discrimination, attendance patterns and the learner’s belief that school no longer offers a meaningful future.

The course helps educators notice disengagement earlier and respond through relationships, relevant learning and coordinated support. Participants work with cases, practise conversations and design a tiered prevention approach rather than relying on punishment after patterns have become entrenched.

Who is this course for?

Teachers, mentors, counsellors, school leaders and support staff.

Education settingsSchool, VET, adult and non-formal learning Prior experienceNo specialist expertise unless stated RecommendedBring a laptop or tablet where possible

Course objectives

Understand multidimensional pathways into disengagement
Identify early signals without labelling learners as inevitable dropouts
Strengthen belonging, trusted relationships and learner voice
Use motivational and restorative communication
Design engaging and achievable learning pathways
Coordinate families, services and school staff ethically

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

Map risk and protective factors in a learner case
Create an early-warning and response process
Conduct a strength-based re-engagement conversation
Redesign a learning task for relevance and agency
Build a tiered support and referral pathway
Produce a measurable school prevention plan

Detailed 5-day programme

Fifteen connected modules, from understanding to confident application.

Day 1

Understanding Disengagement Before It Becomes Departure

Module 01

Pathways, Transitions and Accumulated Barriers

Examine how attendance, attainment, belonging, wellbeing, family context and institutional practices interact over time.

Module 02

Early Signals and Protective Factors

Distinguish useful patterns from stereotypes. Build an ethical observation process that includes learner explanation and existing strengths.

Module 03 · Applied workshop

Belonging and Disengagement Mapping Lab

Use learner journeys and school data to identify moments when relationships, curriculum, attendance, transitions or unmet needs weaken participation.

Practical outcome: Disengagement risk-and-protection map

Day 2

Relationships That Reconnect

Module 04

Belonging and the Trusted Adult

Identify practical ways to increase recognition, safety, contribution and reliable adult connection during ordinary school routines.

Module 05

Motivational and Restorative Conversations

Practise open questions, reflective listening, autonomy-supportive choices and repair after conflict, avoiding lectures and premature solutions.

Module 06 · Applied workshop

Motivation and Agency Design Workshop

Redesign a learning routine using relevance, competence, autonomy, feedback and achievable challenge rather than relying mainly on rewards or sanctions.

Practical outcome: Re-engagement conversation plan

Day 3

Learning Worth Returning For

Module 07

Relevance, Competence and Learner Agency

Redesign tasks to clarify purpose, provide achievable challenge and connect with interests, future pathways or authentic audiences.

Module 08

Feedback and Success Without Lower Expectations

Use visible progress, specific feedback, scaffolded goals and flexible routes so learners experience competence while continuing toward meaningful standards.

Module 09 · Applied workshop

Early-Warning Case Conference

Interpret attendance, behaviour, attainment and wellbeing indicators cautiously and coordinate a proportionate response around a realistic learner case.

Practical outcome: Re-engaged learning sequence

Day 4

Coordinated Support Around the Learner

Module 10

Family Partnership Without Blame

Prepare communication that recognises family knowledge, practical barriers and shared goals while keeping the learner’s voice present.

Module 11

Tiered Support, Safeguarding and Referral

Clarify universal prevention, targeted mentoring and intensive multi-agency support, including information sharing and follow-up responsibilities.

Module 12 · Applied workshop

Restorative Reconnection Simulation

Practise a conversation after conflict, absence or failure that combines accountability, curiosity, support, learner voice and a clear route back into participation.

Practical outcome: Tiered support and referral pathway

Day 5

Whole-School Prevention Planning

Module 13

Case Conference Simulation

Combine attendance, learning, relationship and contextual evidence to agree proportionate actions, ownership and review dates.

Module 14

Indicators, Implementation and Review

Select leading and outcome indicators, identify staff routines that must change and create a realistic first-cycle prevention plan.

Module 15 · Applied workshop

School Retention Action Studio

Build a preventive plan with universal belonging practices, targeted support, family partnership, responsibilities, indicators and review points.

Practical outcome: School prevention framework

The sequence and examples may be fine-tuned after the pre-course needs analysis. The published learning outcomes and 30 teaching hours remain unchanged.

Teaching and learning methods

The course uses active professional learning. Short conceptual inputs are followed by investigation, creation, testing, feedback and reflection connected to each participant’s own educational context.

Learner-journey mappingCase conferenceConversation rehearsalEngagement redesignSupport-network mappingPrevention planning

Your course product

An early-school-leaving prevention framework with indicators, relational response, engaging-learning strategy, tiered support and review measures.

European relevance

The course translates European priorities and competence frameworks into practical educational and institutional action.

Erasmus+ priorities

Inclusion and diversityAddressing barriers linked to disadvantage, disability, migration, discrimination and unequal access to support.
Participation in democratic lifeStrengthening learner voice, belonging and genuine influence over learning and school life.
Support for education staffBuilding educators’ capacity for early identification, relational support and coordinated intervention.
Quality in education and trainingPromoting whole-school prevention that connects achievement, wellbeing, attendance and successful transitions.

EU competence frameworks and reference instruments

Council Recommendation on Pathways to School SuccessProviding a systemic European framework for improving basic skills, wellbeing and educational attainment while reducing early leaving.
European Toolkit for SchoolsOffering evidence-informed resources for inclusive school development and prevention of early school leaving.
LifeCompSupporting self-regulation, perseverance, empathy, collaboration and learning to learn as protective competences.
European Child GuaranteeProviding a rights-based context for access to education, support and essential services for children in need.
Key Competences for Lifelong LearningConnecting engagement and school success with equitable development of essential competences.

Assessment, validation and follow-up

Learning is evidenced through active participation, daily practical outcomes, peer and trainer feedback, the final course product and an individual transfer commitment. Participants receive a Certificate of Attendance. Learning Agreement and Europass Mobility support is available when required.

Belonging, Motivation and Early School Leaving Prevention