Carly's Story
Carly was four weeks into her A-level courses, English Literature, Music, Drama and Performing Arts when she realised, “I wanted to be doing it, not just writing about it.”
Carly had always dreamed of a career in musical theatre, so naturally she began to study these subjects at A-level and planned to go on to study Drama at university. But she found that the content of her courses was more theoretical than practical. So she left the school where she had passed 12 GCSEs at top grades to go to West Cheshire College, where she is now studying for a BTEC national diploma in Musical Theatre.
Carole, Carly’s mother, was initially concerned as she wanted her daughter to follow an academic route to university. She admitted that people generally think that the more qualifications, the better chances students have of getting to university. However, her daughter’s happiness and top grades have completely changed her mind.
And most importantly, Carly hasn’t looked back. “We sing, dance and act here all the time. I absolutely love this college course.”
A New Start with Bronze
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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
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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
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BTEC Performing Arts student Carly Cook explains why she chose to study for a diploma at college.
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Claire's story
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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
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Connor Smith, 14, is studying the Higher Diploma in C&BE at the Construction Design Centre.
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Dan's Story
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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
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Fran Matthews recently completed her Bronze and Silver Youth Achievement Awards.
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Jade's Story
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Kyle joined the South Park Enterprise College in June 2004 following severe bullying in his mainstream school.
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Laura's Story
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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
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Lynne McAlpine struggled with school until she began the Youth Achievement Awards Scheme.
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My Success Story by Jane Berry
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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