Re-integrating young people back into mainstream education is one of our core missions. We believe with a personalised approach, ample time and behaviour mentoring, all of our young people can develop the skills and discipline to re-integrate back into mainstream school. We want to share with you one of our latest success stories.
Scarlett started high school in September but was referred to Ace in October. She had struggled with the transition of moving from her small primary school to a large secondary. When she started, she was apprehensive and didn’t want to start here as she was nervous about not knowing anybody.
Scarlett settled in after a couple of weeks and began to build positive relationships with staff. She began to enjoy attending and we could see a positive shift in her attitude. We worked closely with her to allow her to reflect on her behaviour. She was receiving regular feedback about her respectful behaviour and hard work in class.
After 2 months, she began a steady re-integration back into mainstream school for 1 day a week. She built this up over the next months and in her final half-term at Ace, she was completing 3 days in school and 2 days at Ace.
Scarlett has now made a full transition back into mainstream school and we are really proud of all the progress she has made since starting with us. We are confident that the development she has made with us will allow her to be successful in her transition.
Here are some of Scarlett’s thoughts about her time at Ace and re-integrating back in to school.
What issues were you struggling with before you started at Ace?
I was disrespectful to my teachers and I was getting sent out of some of my lessons. I was forgetting my equipment for school too so there were a few things that weren’t going well.
What did you think about attending an AP before you started?
I’d never heard of AP, I’d only ever heard of a PRU. I didn’t want to start here because I didn’t know anybody.
How has being at Ace helped you?
I have started behaving at school now. I definitely listen to my teachers now and I don’t get sent out of lessons anymore.
What support have you received from Ace?
Staff listen to me here. This helped me feel understood. I have made really good relationships with staff which has helped me.
What have you enjoyed at Ace?
I didn’t enjoy going to school before but now I look forward to coming here. I like the timetable at Ace and how we do sport every day. I’ve gotten better at sports since starting which I’ve enjoyed. I like that the staff are understanding too.
What will you remember from your time at Ace?
- The thing I will remember the most is the staff.
- I have made loads of good memories doing sport.
- Getting rewards at the end of the day if I’ve behaved.
- I like ending the week doing a quiz on a Friday afternoon.
- The friends I have made.
How do you feel about going back to mainstream school full-time?
I’m sad to be leaving Ace, I feel like I belong here. It’s good that I’m going back to school though.
Nobody knows a child like their parent. Here is a quote from Scarlett’s Mum about her time at Ace.
“I think Ace has been amazing with my daughter Scarlett. Her attitude and behaviour has changed and improved so much since starting. Before my daughter started at Ace, we had kick offs daily as she was refusing to go school and refusing to do her work. Since her placement at Ace, she gets up every day with no issues and is happy and confident in herself again. The staff are amazing and friendly communication with staff is great.”
