Students and staff across Acorn Education and Care, and Options Autism, both part of Outcomes First Group – a leader in the provision of outcomes-led learning, life skills, and therapeutic care for children and adults with autism, complex and SEMH needs – are celebrating exam successes, as well as the many personal triumphs that will ultimately help these young people to fulfil their potential and achieve their aspirations.
Across 39 specialist schools, 235 students have gained 615 GCSE passes in a wide range of subjects, plus 19 students in its Scottish schools have achieved Nationals at various levels.
Students also achieved over 650 other qualifications, including BTECs, NVQs, Functional Skills, City and Guilds, ASDAN and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – a testimony to Outcomes First Group’s ‘Dream Big’ strategy, which is committed to giving individuals in care, with SEN or complex needs, access to the same wide range of opportunities and life-changing adventures as other children.
Student success
Several students stand out for their achievements. For example, Ayman had experienced a very difficult journey in mainstream education before starting at Reddish Hall School in Stockport, a co-educational school catering for pupils aged 5-18 with complex educational needs, communication difficulties and challenging behaviour.
He had suffered a great deal of personal loss and struggled with education. On joining the school he settled in very well, commenting that the care and support of the staff team has made an important and significant difference to his life.
He has now secured a place at college to do Electrical Installation, his dream since starting at Reddish Hall School.
Local legend
Kenan, from New Barn School in Berkshire, has become a bit of a local legend, due to the work experience placement New Barn organised for him at the estate where the Great British Bake Off is filmed!
He is well known in the farming community surrounding the school and highly thought of as a productive worker with lots to give to the community.
Prior to this work experience, Kenan had a difficult journey with depression, but the placement, combined with his success in this agricultural field, has helped him to be positive about his achievements and he has gained all the qualifications to secure a place at agricultural college in September.
Kenan’s mum says that New Barn School has supported him to ‘turn his world around’ and is very grateful for the support of the team.
Outstanding progress
Another Year 11 student, who started at Glebedale School in Stoke-on-Trent – a school for pupils with SEMH and other complex learning needs – in Year 7, but who was working at Year 1/2 level, has made outstanding progress, achieving 8 GCSEs, four of which were Grade 4 or higher, and a number of Level 2 BTECs. This exceptional result brings him in line with his peers and has helped him to gain a place at a mainstream college on a Level 3 course.
A Year 10 student at Belmont School in Lancashire – also a school for pupils with SEMH – secured an impressive 6 GCSEs, all at Grade 5 and above, with a Grade 9 in English Language and a Grade 7 in English Literature, plus other qualifications.
‘Well done to everyone on their achievements’
Commenting on students’ achievements, Richard Power, Managing Director of the group’s education division, said: “We look to deliver for our young people and help them make their way in the world. This is one way where we can visibly see that progress! Well done to everyone on their achievements and a sincere thank you to staff, who have gone above and beyond to make it possible. We are very proud and wish all our students every success in their futures.”
Click here to visit Outcomes First Group’s website