Positive Outcomes

A selection of real-life stories with positive outcomes. All names have been changed to preserve anonymity.

Carol's Story

The following factual account demonstrates how the Educational Pathways program is effective in helping disengaged young people to return to mainstream education.

Carol joined the SAvE programme at Educational Pathways at the start of Feb after having been out of mainstream education for approx 5 months. Upon arrival she was extremely disengaged from education and very reluctant and unwilling to return to the school environment. She had been confrontational and aggressive to school staff, involved in violence with other school peers and had problems within relationships at home. Carol has been diagnosed with ADHD, for which she has been prescribed medication, and she has also been statemented. Her attendance record at school was 73%.

Since attending the SAvE project Carol has undergone a transformation. She has maintained 3 days per week with a 100% attendance. She is always first to arrive (often half hour early) and despite being the only girl on this program, she has settled in well. She is always polite, cheerful, engages well and is extremely helpful to staff. She communicates well with both staff and other group members and has received certificates for excellent attendance, cookery skills, taking part in a CCP / Prince's Trust Graffiti Project and having a Positive Attitude. Carol really enjoys spending time completing complicated jigsaw puzzles and this demonstrates that she can show great patience and determination - she has even encouraged other members of the group and staff to join her which leads to good interaction within the group. Carol's parents have stated that her attitude at home has improved immensely and this has helped with family dynamics.

Through group work and sessions held at Educational Pathways, staff have encouraged Carol to explore possible career paths which may interest her and this has gone from a shrug of the shoulders and silence some months ago to her now wishing to attend an open day at Hartbury College where she is interested in undertaking an Animal care course.

We wish Carol all the future success that she is working so hard to achieve.