Kyle's Story

South Park Enterprise College

South Park Enterprise College provides an alternative educational programme for students at risk of exclusion from mainstram education. 36% of those who attend the college have a statement of special educational needs. The curriculum is predominantly educational, vocational and business-linked and this enables students to make progress both academically and in the personal qualities needed to meet the demands of adult life.

Kyle's Story

Kyle joined the college in June 2004 following bullying in his mainstream school. The bullying had been severe: Kyle was now agoraphobic and taking medication. An individualised learning programme was implemented involving small group work and practical activities including woodwork, conservation, animal care, mechanics and horticulture. As a result of this personalised approach to learning, Kyle’s confidence and self-esteem improved exponentially. Feeling that the college’s work was done, the local Head Teacher of the Special Educational Needs Support Service recommended that Kyle be returned to mainstream education. Kyle’s parents immediately appealed against this, feeling that Kyle’s educational needs were best met by the personalised approach of the college towards student needs. The appeal was successful and Kyle continued his education at South Park. Kyle was the highest achiever amongst the Year 11 leavers in 2007, gaining 16 recognised qualifications, including four Level 2 qualifications. Kyle was able to take this confidence in his abilities into mainstream education, where he was able to complete a Motor Vehicle course at his local college.

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A New Start with Bronze

The KRAN Riverside Project offers Life Skills education for 16-18 year old unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC). The course has boosted the students’ independent living skills, and gradually improved their English. These young people are now living independently within the community.

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Alasdair's Story

With the help of Edge, the independent education foundation, Alasdair was able to realise his ambition to become a diamond-setter.

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Carly's Story

BTEC Performing Arts student Carly Cook explains why she chose to study for a diploma at college.

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Claire's story

Claire didn't realise how rewarding volunteering could be until she started volunteering at her local primary school through Worldwide Volunteering.

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Conor Smith

Connor Smith, 14, is studying the Higher Diploma in C&BE at the Construction Design Centre.

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Dan's Story

Dan Evans is a 19 year-old from Kent whose life changed when his school joined CCE's 'Schools of Creativity' programme. Dan began to realise he had an interest in dance and this became a channel for his emotions.

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Fran's Story

Fran Matthews recently completed her Bronze and Silver Youth Achievement Awards.

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Jade's Story

Jade was one of the first girls to be referred to South Park Enterprise College because of her challenging behaviour.

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Janine's Story

How work experience in a dental technology lab inspired one student to make it her career, combining paid work with a part-time BTEC

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Karl's Story

Karl Francis has been working with 'Personal Best', using the prospect of working at the 2012 Olympic amd Paralympic Games to allow disadvantaged young people to learn and develop new skills.

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Kat and the Youth Achievement Awards

Kat undertook the Platinum Youth Achievement award which had five challenges, including training, volunteering and taking ownership of a project.

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Kayly and the Youth Achievement Awards

Kayly recently completed her Gold Youth Achievement Award. She says, "From all of my challenges I feel I now have more confidence and have gained new skills". Find out what she did here.

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Kyle's Story

Kyle joined the South Park Enterprise College in June 2004 following severe bullying in his mainstream school.

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Laura's Story

South Park Enterprise College's work-related learning programme gave Laura the opportunity to work in a nursery for a year whilst taking a Diploma in child care. At the end of the year Laura was offered a job at the nursery because of her success.

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Lynne's Story

Lynne McAlpine struggled with school until she began the Youth Achievement Awards Scheme.

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My Success Story by Jane Berry

The Youth Achievement Awards helped Jane gain confidence and find a career path.

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Niall's story - Salford Lads and Girls Club

Niall Armsden has organised weekly activities for more than 200 young people and campaigned to raise £1,000,000 to keep the Salford Lads and Girls club running,as part of his ASDAN Certificate of Community Volunteering.

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St Benet Biscop School in Lesotho

Students from Sutherland School in Shropshire and St Benet Biscop School in Northumberland helped to run a student co-operative conference in Lesotho. Zoe and Charlotte from St Benet Biscop talk about their experience.

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The Bloomer Family

Helen, Sam and Eve Bloomer all left school without qualifications. They have 18 children between them, and already had four grandchildren when still in their thirties. The Innovation Unit's Communities for Learning project has helped to transform their lives.

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Victoria and the Youth Achievement Awards

Victoria Murrell recently completed her Gold Youth Achievement Award. She says, "I already had silver so I thought ‘this should be okay’. Boy was I wrong!"

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