16-year old Jason joined The Keresley Centre in 2014. He attended mainstream school, but faced many difficulties. He faced both behavioural issues and difficulties at school as well as at home. At first he was reluctant to join the centre and hesitated as he mentioned: “I was very nervous after coming from a mainstream school. It was scary knowing that there could be some fairly misbehaved students there but after some time I settled in well”.  After two years as a student, he has now become a member of staff, as a ‘Assistant Teaching Assistant’, he recognises “how good the school is compared to mainstream schools” and how “the staff will always try and help as much as possible” while he thought that a mainstream school was too busy for this and much more restricting.

Jason has now received the following 4 GCSE qualifications: City & Guilds, Functional Level 1 English, Maths and Science and is following his path towards teacher training. We asked Jason about his plans for the future, he mentioned that he is excited about opportunities that are now within reach: “I can either follow teacher training and become a qualified teacher or to go to university and join the Royal Air Force, becoming a regiment gunner or office in regiment”.

For Jason, the Keresley Centre has not only has made a difference in his academic and professional career, but “they have steered me in the right direction of life. I am now happy with the path I am following and my direction in life”. This is a phenomenal story for the SYP’s Keresley centre, we have helped a young person in the many ways explained and assisted him to reach the path that many young people are capable of, but unfortunately fail to reach.
Keresley in three words to Jason: “important, inspirational and caring”.

SYP Young Person- Aged 16

As soon as they were told they could go, they started their hour of fun, jumping and flipping everywhere, even having competitions of who could back flip, or who could get the most basket balls in the hoop. The students even got the staff involved, playing dodgeball, or seeing who could get up to the airbag the quickest.

A few students showed of their skills and how athletic they are, demonstrating amazing back flips, front flips and some even showed more complicated tricks such as flares. Half way through they stopped only to get a drink and carried on with their reward. Nearing the end of the hour both staff and students were exhausted, and happily came off to get in the taxis, only for the students to find that we had one last treat in store for them, taking them for lunch to McDonalds.

After an exhausting day of fun it was time for the students to head home, leaving with smiles on their faces after a great day at school, ready for their Christmas fun.

On the 5th January 2017, we had a visit from the Armed Forces Career Office, they came in to talk to the students about life, roles with in the army, and the importance of what they could do if they could do if they joined. Throughout the visit the students became engrossed, asking questions and taking a genuine interest, with one or two of them saying they are interested in joining the armed forces.

After being told that they would have a lot of opportunities in the forces ranging from achieving a HGV driving license at 17, to acquiring NVQ’s, the students started asking about roles that they could apply for. The Corporal informed them that they could become anything from a HGV driver to a tank driver or an infantry man to a pilot. The role that seemed to captivate them the most was to be a sniper.      

Near the end of the visit the corporal told the students how the armed forces are now accepting women into service, capturing a student’s interest, saying she would enjoy it, but “dislikes taking orders.”
At the end of the visit the corporal left behind some leaflets for the students to have a look at, in case they were interested in joining.
 
This is one of the many guest speakers due to attend Kersley this academic year

By Jamie Bracher
(ATA)

Over the past two academic years, students still attending and our school leavers have participated in a number of fundraising activities to raise money. They have baked, crafted, sold, walked and worked extremely hard in order to raise as much as they can in order to help others.
 
Many of our students understand what it feels like to need support and we are extremely proud of them for raising a fantastic amount of money for other children!

The students were a credit to the school whilst out of centre; showing real maturity and trustworthiness in a completely new environment for many of them!

A great trip all round!

 After our “family” lunch, students enjoyed the rides and amusements at the Grand Pier and even challenged staff to a ride on the dodgems! Everyone played fair and had a really good laugh!

 As the school year ends, staff and students at Keresley enjoyed a well deserved day out at the seaside for our End of Year trip!

After all the hard work this year students were able to enjoy some sun, sea and sand at Weston Super Mare!!

 
Russell the Mechanics course leader said, “Lewis settled into the workplace really well. He is sensible lad who gets on with the team and does what is asked of him”.

Lewis has been attending Brakes for 1 year. He goes 1 day per week from 10am – 3pm. Lewis said he really enjoyed the Motor Vehicle course where he helps out in the garage fix­ing car parts and learning new things. “I have learned to change brake pads, change tires (actu­ally take them off and put them on!), and I know how to change the clutch”. Lewis was happy he got to do proper jobs and could be trusted to carry out tasks. Lewis explained his confidence had grown a lot whilst taking part in the vehicle course and this has prepared him for work life after leaving school. Lewis was talking about his career options and he may join the army.

He explained this course will go in his advantage if he decides he would like to do mechanics in the army. When I went to see Lewis myself, he was very confident in the tasks he had been given and carried them out well. He seemed happy to be there and had built up good relationships with the other staff and students working there. He was communicating really well with the others and was showing really good listening skills when someone was asking him to do a task.

Brakes Training Ltd provides alternative educa­tion to young people. They teach a Motor Vehicles Studies course that is accredited by ABC.