Alternative provision school celebrates GCSE results

Ridwan (L) and Jayda (R) collected their GCSE results on Thursday

Students who were given "one more chance" at education through an alternative provision school are celebrating GCSE success.

Bristol Futures Academy supports students who have been unable to cope in mainstream school settings, due to a variety of reasons.

Many of the children join after being out of school for long periods of time and enrol onto the school's "broad" curriculum.

Principal, Alex Davies, said: "Whatever the results, we are proud of each and every one of our children and we really look forward to seeing them go on to their next destination."

Ridwan said he used to be a "problem child" but is now a "different person"

Ridwan is among those celebrating. The 16-year-old achieved six GCSEs and a BTEC in sport, after joining the school in October.

He moved around five different schools in the city during Year 10 and admitted he used to be a "problem child".

“I was very immature," he said.

"I was more focused on messing around rather than actually looking at what I had to do, which was my GCSEs.”

His mum was often called in for meetings with staff to discuss his behaviour, but when he joined Bristol Futures Academy, run by the Cabot Learning Federation, he became "a different person".

Ridwan advised students who are struggling with school to use it "as a good thing".

"I gained so many chances. I didn’t notice that at first, but then I sat and actually thought about it," he said.

In September, Ridwan plans on going to South Gloucestershire and Stroud College to sit his A-levels or a sports diploma.

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Jayda said she is now "on the right path"

Jayda passed five GCSEs after going through a "rough patch" jumping between different mainstream schools.

She said she often felt "on edge" and did not want to be in class.

"In this school, I feel like it’s more of a family. It’s more of a home. You feel like you can trust people - in mainstream you couldn’t do that.

"As soon as I came here, I got my head down and was able to sit my GCSEs.”

She credited the alternative style of learning for helping her get back on track.

"Not every school is bad and school is not somewhere you don’t want to be - school is somewhere that you can enjoy," she said.

Jayda is hoping to go to college in September to get the qualifications she needs to open her own beauty business.

Alex Davies said it is an "absolute privilege" to be principal

Ms Davies said all 42 Year 11 students "flourished" during their time at the school.

She added that 98% of students are going on to a "positive destination" in the future.

“I absolutely love results day because it symbolises an end but also a new beginning for our children," said the principal.

"The fact that many of them have gotten to this point is a real achievement in itself."