We at The Edge Academy have been working closely with John Gayle for the last year, during this time John has always provided a high standard of mentoring services which are tailored to meet our students individual needs. John has formed and maintained positive relatiuonships with all the students he mentors directly, as well gaining a high level of mutual respect. John has tailored all of his mentoring sessions so that each student recieves the correct level and style of support to suit their needs. Impact upon students social, emotional and mental wellbeing has been positive, with students stating, ‘John understands us and speaks to as an equal, whilst giving us the tools to deal with certain situations.’ We at the Academy feel that John provides our students with a level of support that not only empowers them but gives them the tools to make informed choices.
At the Acadeny we asked John to come over and spend the day conducting Anger Manegment sessions to the whole school. Staff and students felt that the resourses and activities used were highly appropriate and delivered with enthusiasum, keeping the sessions engaging and interesting.
As Principal of The Edge Academy in Northfield, I am truly grateful for the work John does with us. In addition to the comments our SENCO Helen McClane makes above, I can add that John is popular with students and staff but also brings a different dimension to our work as an Alternative Provision school. John’s career as a footballer means that he is seen as a role model by our students and he has effectively tapped into this interest by taking students to Birmingham City games and also enrolling a group of our students onto a Level 1 Social Enterprise course at Aston Villa. John is creative, diligent and his work with us has impact- I would highly recommend him to other establishments.
I had the immense privilege of working with John for a number of years in Plymouth where he worked with our most vulnerable young people across the primary and secondary age range.
John builds trust and inspires loyalty. He helps both adults and children to feel safe. He helps young people to see another life path. He does this in the most unique way. His personal experiences mean that he speaks with a voice and authenticity that deeply moves and inspires those around him.
John has a wonderful ability to see possibility in young people before they see it in themselves. He accepts them as they are but doesn’t accept that this position must remain the same.
John does so much beyond individual mentoring. He connects a team, is an inspiring speaker and above all he is a learner who will face any challenges with immense courage. Many people who are experts end up trying to be right. John uses his expertise but is always listening and therefore questioning, learning and developing.
Dave Strudwick
International Educational Consultant and Former Headteacher
John has been a pleasure to work with here at The Edge Academy and he is extremely popular with staff and students. He has completed a wide variety of different types of mentoring work for us and has added a different dimension to what we do as an Alternative Provision school. His past career as a successful footballer means that he is instantly seen as a role model by our students, John has successfully used these links to enrol a group of students onto a Level 1 Social Enterprise course at Aston Villa, to take groups of students to Birmingham City games and to set up work experience placements. More importantly, his mentoring work has had impact for us- attendance, engagement and achievement has improved notably amongst the students he has worked with. He is diligent, rigorous and creative and I would highly recommend his services to other establishments.
John has been supporting both colleagues and learners at PM Training. John has great communication skills. He provides mentoring services which are tailored to meet all our students needs whilst on a study programme. John has a great rapport with all, lots of energy of which the learners pick up on. He’s formed and maintained positive relationships with all students whilst mentoring and supporting, helping them and preparing them for the world of work and gaining the confidence to become more motivated and feel more positive about themselves. John’s always very positive with students and is able to adapt with individual needs, helping them to problem solve and build on confidence and trust. Great outcomes.
I would highly recommend his services to other establishments.
Stephen Rushton
Director of Partnerships
I had the real pleasure of working with John for a number of years, he was a real inspiration to all the students he worked with. John had a way of connecting with the students and making them feel secure. Often he worked with students that were struggling both academically and personally, and through working with them, he helped them to see there was a better version of themselves and then assisted the students in becoming this.
John was also a great member of the staff team, always compassionate and there to listen to others while also having a very contagious laugh which brightened up the office.
I feel lucky enough to count John as one of my friends.
I have had the pleasure of meeting John around a year ago after he kindly came to our school and gave out prizes at our sports awards evening. From that moment it was clear that John’s focus is on making a difference with young people. He gave a fantastic motivational speech to the students who were hooked and engaged in what they were hearing. John is an inspiration to many of our students and his ability to connect with them and understand where they have come from and their current situations is a real asset. John currently works with some of our academically and socially hard to reach students in a mentoring capacity and the rapport he builds with these students has really helped to make an impact on their school life. John is extremely positive with the students and this has helped him to build strong relationships with the hard to reach students he talks to on a daily basis which has impacted positively in their self confidence and belief. John is always willing to go the extra mile for students and I highly recommend his services.
It was a fortuitous day when I first crossed paths with John; I remember it clearly as I was being taken on a tour of PSCA by the headteacher as part of my interview process. it was a strange experience because I felt that merely on eye contact, John looked into me as saw me as I am. Indeed, it was the fact that PSCA had John as Behaviour Lead that led to me making the decision to join PSCA as Computing and Digital Safety Lead. From that time onwards I counted John as my closest colleague and worked closely with him as we developed an alternative provision for our most hard to reach students. John is unlike any other practitioner that I have met – the iron fist in the velvet glove; he connects with disenfranchised and disengaged young people in a unique, nurturing and supportive way, seeing the strengths and positives in all and never giving up on a young person. John was a pillar of the school during his tenure; a mentor; a coach; a role model. I would consider any establishment very lucky indeed to secure John’s guidance and professionalism – he is a unique asset and I’m proud to consider him a friend.
John is a close friend of mine and I had the pleasure of working with him at our Company PM Training. John has mentored and coached a number of our learners who otherwise would not engage with other staff members or learners in work groups. I would describe Johns approach to working with learners as ‘unique’ in the way he gets them to open up about themselves and deal with any issues or barriers they may be facing. He has also impacted on their personal lives where relationships with the learners parents have broken down. John will meet with the parents and learners and openly suggest ways of building their relationships back up with great positive outcomes. I would recommend John in any mentoring role where he understands and works in his own way using his own experience to help make learners build on their self esteem, motivation and confidence to reach their future goals in life. You can guarantee positive outcomes with learners John works with.
John was great, we need more John Gayle’s in this world. Passionate about what he does and inspiring.
Thanks again.” – Mark Roberts
I brought Jon to the attention of the YMCA after seeing him mentor one of our young people. He made a huge impact on me, he is both talented and inspirational, he has brought out the positives in our young person and is encouraging him to achieve and reach his goals. I would love him to be more involved with our young people at the YMCA as he has the knowledge and enthusiasm to inspire and change lives. Thank you for telling us your back story Jon, you have achieved so much and should be very proud of yourself – Sandra Pendleton
A very insightful and well delivered course. You could see John was very passionate about the subject, I learnt more in depth of the problems surrounding gangs and knife crime and thoroughly enjoyed the day – Sam Hollyoak
was introduced to John Gayle early on in my tenure as a Director of Solihull Moors FC with responsibility for Education and Community projects. I was asked to work with John to develop Football, Education, Social Enterprise and Social Justice projects based around Knife Crime, Gangs and Wellbeing.
I was immediately struck and impressed by the knowledge and passion that John demonstrates in relation to the issues that we are addressing and seeking to deal with through the various projects the club is developing. John is passionate about the projects we are working on and has put in a great deal of time and effort to help set them up.
John is conscientious, dedicated, enthusiastic and professional. He believes in the work he is doing. In great part, this is based on his own life and sporting experiences. He has considerable knowledge and expertise that he can pass on to young people that will help them re-focus, engage, energise and reflect in a manner that will allow them to make life-changing decisions for the betterment and fulfilment of their lives.
As a direct result of this, commencing shortly, John will be addressing students as well as working with selected students with our partner school Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst.
John’s other attributes include being always punctual and well prepared for meetings. Additionally and more importantly from my perspective, he has a presence and modesty that people can relate to. I witness this every time we have meetings with outside bodies and when fans meet him at the club.
I highly commend John to you and your organisation.
It gives me great pleasure to provide a reference for John Gayle. I have known John as both a colleague and a friend for over fifteen years. I am now the interim Headteacher at Plymouth School of Creative Arts (PSCA) and have known John in a professional capacity when I worked at Kingsbridge School, Dartmouth Academy and recently when he was employed full time at PSCA.
He was employed at PSCA from the 4th January 2016 where he was a Behaviour and Safeguarding Officer. In this role he made significant impact working with a range of students with complex behavioural needs across the age range from reception up to Year 11. John has the ability to relate particularly well with students who are disengaging with school. He has a range of contacts especially through his sporting connections to help motivate students and get them back to engage with school. He uses his own experiences powerfully to help support students and work alongside them. He builds strong relationships with both the students and the parents so there is a mutual trust and respect. For example he would regularly take students at the weekend to see Plymouth Argyle developing positive role modelling and relationships. From these opportunities some of our students started their own football blogs and radio programmes. John left over a year ago but students still speak about him and the experiences he created.
John is a great team player. He has the ability with his enthusiasm and persona to drive staff with him and when he left the school to build his own company was a great loss to the life of the school. Through his company he is going to be working with PSCA one day a week to work with targeted students and their parents to move their learning forward as they have significant barriers through their lack of engagement and poor behaviour for learning skills. This will have a massive impact for these students but also his presence will build confidence with the staff working with him and help change the culture for these students within the school.
I would recommend John wholeheartedly to support within an educational environment and move especially vulnerable students who are hard to reach and exhibit complex behavioural needs in their learning journey and next steps.
I just wanted to thank both you and Rebeca Hewitt for giving our school the opportunity to have John Gayle do his amazing presentation to our year 9 students, I just wish that we could have him for all year groups. I have never known a presentation/assembly hit so many key areas in one go and yet still managing to keep the students focused and engaged throughout. It was not just what John spoke about, it is John himself. He speaks with passion and from the heart. Children and young people can tell if someone is genuine and John, definitely comes across as genuine which is why he had such a captive audience.
John’s presentation was also a roller coaster of emotions, sad, emotional, hard hitting but also uplifting and empowering. John spoke about his life experience with such honesty you couldn’t help but be moved. There would have been some element of his presentation that would have resonated with everyone in the room both students and staff. The topics John covered were:
• Growing up in a single parent household
• Parent in prison
• Mental Health/Wellbeing concerns
• Parental mental health concerns
• Young Carer
• Racism, Prejudice, Discrimination
• Bullying
• Abuse
• Bereavement/Loss
• Gangs and youth violence
• Knife/Gun Crime
• Drugs
• Peer pressure
• School exclusion
• Opportunities/Choices
• Following your dreams
• Achieving your goals through hard work and determination
• Key people/Mentor
So you can see why it is so good.
Thanks again
Sarah Minty-Dyke
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Teignmouth Community School
John Gayle started working with the school in September 2021 where he carried out two services. The first was a presentation to our Year 10 students. This is a year group where we have had concerns relating to some of the underlying behaviour of individuals particularly related to racism and intolerance. We have also had some concerns around inappropriate sexualised behaviour. Whilst John did not specifically cover that area in his presentation, he covered respect and tolerance and this has had some anecdotal impact. The main thrust of the presentation was extremely impactful on a the year group. In terms of evidence, we have not see any further reports of racism in the year group to date and, whilst this may not be fully attributed to John’s intervention, the general feedback from the students both in the presentation and after it, was noticeable. An example of this was a child who emailed John directly to show how his appreciation and to highlight how it was good to hear from him because he shared many of the same experiences. John’s lived experience and ability to share that with the students in a ‘language’ that teachers and other school based professionals cannot, means that he is able to connect with the young people almost instantly and hold their interest with what he has to say. The fact that he was a professional footballer also brings in a positive angle for a number of our young men, in particular, who immediately look up to him. This was evident in his brief interaction with one Year 9 boy who immediately responded to John’s advice about how to conduct himself.
The second way in which John has worked and had an impact is to mentor three of our Year 11 young men. Each of them have concerns related to anti-social behaviour, behaviour within school and vulnerability to exploitation. Not only has John been a resource for the school to access about how to support them, but more importantly, he very quickly (within one session) got to the root of the boys behaviour and began to address these issues through the sessions he ran. One of the three boys had rejected all previous attempts by the school to engage him in support. Although nervous about meeting him, the young man immediately settled and John has become the only professional to date that has been able to reach out to him and engage him addressing the underlying problems. The young mans school circumstances have changed and the parents have been very keen to maintain John’s involvement recognising the positive impact it is having. John also goes beyond the school and, with parental permission, has attended football matches at the weekend to show his engagement and support. This has been very much appreciated by both the young man and the parents. Beyond this, John has been willing to engage in supporting the family of the young men and has really got to the heart of their difficulties. His impact is difficult to measure as the boys still continue to be of concern, however, this was perhaps expected given the degree of trauma that each of them have faced and the short time frame in which he has been able to work with him. Given early intervention and more time to carry out his work, I have no doubt that John would have had a more measurable impact on their lives.
On a more personal level, John has been able to provide me and the school with an insight into the lives of these young people – one we had not been able to achieve through other methods. The school very much appreciates the work that he has done for us and we would wholeheartedly recommend his further involvement in the local community and schools. I very much hope that the funding can be found so that John’s work can be used to help and support more vulnerable young adults in the local area.
Hi John,
>
> Joshka told me this morning you were leaving KEVICC, and we are both gutted to hear those new though I am sure that Joshka will be fine…which actually is largely thanks to the support and guidance you’ve given him. I have no idea where we would be now had it not been for your brilliant influence on Joshka. You appeared when he sorely needed both a positive male role model, and an adult whom he could trust. Now he is so much more settled and each time he makes me proud (which is pretty much daily), I internally thank you, John, for all you have given to Joshi and therefore our family.
>
> I am wishing you all the very best for the future – I’m sure that wherever you go, it will be great cos you’ll be there!
>
> With all best wishes.
>
> Bojana
This is the feedback that I have given to my Sgt. He is collecting feedback for the evaluation.
John and I have been working together for over a year.
We work in Teign School and Teignmouth school. We are there at the same time and we decide, with the school which students should go with John or myself.
John tends to work with the higher need students. Those who are involved in drug use and on the fringes of gang type behaviour out in the community. These students also tend to be at risk of permanent exclusion from school due to their behaviour.
Sometimes, John and I will see a student together. This has worked well and gives a different dimension to the intervention. John has also “paved the way” for me to work with some students who would not, ordinarily engage with the Police.
Since John has been working with the students in the schools, they have arrived at school on time. They have been wearing the correct uniform and engaging more in lessons. The number of internal exclusions don’t appear to be as high and they certainly aren’t at risk of permanent exclusion any more. Their names aren’t being mentioned in the community like they were and they don’t appear to be involved in ASB or crime thus reducing the impact on Police resources.
I know that John has also gone above and beyond by attending various football matches/sports events that his students are involved in. This makes the students feel like they matter. This is a really important part of mentoring.
Overall, the impact of Johns mentoring has been significant and tangible. Affecting the lives of the young people but also reducing the demand on the schools and the Police.
Hello everyone reading this. This is about the wizard that is John Gayle. I have tried to explain a couple of the conversations me and John have had over the 4 years that I have know him.
The first time I talked to John was when I was in year eight and acting like a complete t**t. One of the first things that John said to me was “So, what is going on girl”. To that I just laughed it off and probably said “Nothing” or “I don’t know what you talking about?”
or some equally worthless words. He then proceeded to surprise me by saying “Don’t give me that bull**** you wouldn’t be talking to
me if it was nothing”.
At that I knew I had met my match because John Gayle does not take anyones bull****. He will happily deal with you screaming or crying and punching
maybe even crawling out a window but not if you have him on for a foul! Theres no point, I’ve come to the concussion that he’s basically a mindreader.
After that John managed to get me to talk more about what I was dealing with then I ever had before. I
learned a lot about John that day and that he didn’t do his job for money or for recognition he does it because he is the exception. The best kind of person because he knows how to talk to someone and how to listen to anyone.
Later on after knowing John for about a year and him now knowing all about the bad and the good he got told me and a friend had painted the school corridor green. I didn’t care that I would get in trouble or that the teachers were going to exclude me or that they shouted at me but as soon as I saw John marching down the hall I wanted to fall into a hole in the ground.
John put me in my place again! He didn’t shout like most teaches do or send me to a different room to
have to sit in silence. he just stood in front of me and said you know better and you can’t behave like this and that it was disrespectful. That embraced me more than any words a teacher could have said and I could not make eye contact with this man who could tell me more about my life than I could. What I’m trying to say is that John is not like a teacher or school councillor no hate to them but you know. He’s John Gayle. He is the person I respect more than anyone. So when he told me to get it together of course I did the exact opposite. Every time he took me aside for a chat or took me out for a walk to get me out of school. I can’t remember a time I didn’t feel relief after talking to John. he didn’t
always make me laugh or smile but he always gave me the time I needed.
Later that year I was going through a hard point in my life. John knew but didn’t quiz me or try get me to talk about it because I think he already know. he is good at that. he simply continued to be there and talk to me in a way he always had in a way no friend or parent or career can. he always seemed to know what I was going to say before I even had a chance to think of it. I honestly don’t know how to explain how much John has helped me through the past 4 years. It’s something I can’t put into words. He saved me and he’s saved many of my friends too. He’s the most inspiring person I have ever meet and
will ever meet. and I don’t mean because he was a football player although that’s pretty cool, but he inspired me because he managed to make him self a football player and them go out and find a way to simply chat to some dump kids and change their lives. I respect John for who he is. For everything he has shared with me and every piece of advise he has given me.
I don’t know what I would have done without John.He helps me everyday without knowing it and I can’t
thank him enough. So thank you from everyone you have helped and I will carry your words with me forthe rest of my life.
Helen Mcclane
16 Mar 2019We at The Edge Academy have been working closely with John Gayle for the last year, during this time John has always provided a high standard of mentoring services which are tailored to meet our students individual needs. John has formed and maintained positive relatiuonships with all the students he mentors directly, as well gaining a high level of mutual respect. John has tailored all of his mentoring sessions so that each student recieves the correct level and style of support to suit their needs. Impact upon students social, emotional and mental wellbeing has been positive, with students stating, ‘John understands us and speaks to as an equal, whilst giving us the tools to deal with certain situations.’ We at the Academy feel that John provides our students with a level of support that not only empowers them but gives them the tools to make informed choices.
At the Acadeny we asked John to come over and spend the day conducting Anger Manegment sessions to the whole school. Staff and students felt that the resourses and activities used were highly appropriate and delivered with enthusiasum, keeping the sessions engaging and interesting.
Andrew Wakefield
19 Mar 2019As Principal of The Edge Academy in Northfield, I am truly grateful for the work John does with us. In addition to the comments our SENCO Helen McClane makes above, I can add that John is popular with students and staff but also brings a different dimension to our work as an Alternative Provision school. John’s career as a footballer means that he is seen as a role model by our students and he has effectively tapped into this interest by taking students to Birmingham City games and also enrolling a group of our students onto a Level 1 Social Enterprise course at Aston Villa. John is creative, diligent and his work with us has impact- I would highly recommend him to other establishments.
Dave Strudwick
24 Mar 2019I had the immense privilege of working with John for a number of years in Plymouth where he worked with our most vulnerable young people across the primary and secondary age range.
John builds trust and inspires loyalty. He helps both adults and children to feel safe. He helps young people to see another life path. He does this in the most unique way. His personal experiences mean that he speaks with a voice and authenticity that deeply moves and inspires those around him.
John has a wonderful ability to see possibility in young people before they see it in themselves. He accepts them as they are but doesn’t accept that this position must remain the same.
John does so much beyond individual mentoring. He connects a team, is an inspiring speaker and above all he is a learner who will face any challenges with immense courage. Many people who are experts end up trying to be right. John uses his expertise but is always listening and therefore questioning, learning and developing.
Dave Strudwick
International Educational Consultant and Former Headteacher
Andrew Wakefield
24 Mar 2019John has been a pleasure to work with here at The Edge Academy and he is extremely popular with staff and students. He has completed a wide variety of different types of mentoring work for us and has added a different dimension to what we do as an Alternative Provision school. His past career as a successful footballer means that he is instantly seen as a role model by our students, John has successfully used these links to enrol a group of students onto a Level 1 Social Enterprise course at Aston Villa, to take groups of students to Birmingham City games and to set up work experience placements. More importantly, his mentoring work has had impact for us- attendance, engagement and achievement has improved notably amongst the students he has worked with. He is diligent, rigorous and creative and I would highly recommend his services to other establishments.
Andrew Wakefield
Principal, The Edge Academy
Stephen Rushton
15 Apr 2019John has been supporting both colleagues and learners at PM Training. John has great communication skills. He provides mentoring services which are tailored to meet all our students needs whilst on a study programme. John has a great rapport with all, lots of energy of which the learners pick up on. He’s formed and maintained positive relationships with all students whilst mentoring and supporting, helping them and preparing them for the world of work and gaining the confidence to become more motivated and feel more positive about themselves. John’s always very positive with students and is able to adapt with individual needs, helping them to problem solve and build on confidence and trust. Great outcomes.
I would highly recommend his services to other establishments.
Stephen Rushton
Director of Partnerships
Sandra Butler
18 Apr 2019I had the real pleasure of working with John for a number of years, he was a real inspiration to all the students he worked with. John had a way of connecting with the students and making them feel secure. Often he worked with students that were struggling both academically and personally, and through working with them, he helped them to see there was a better version of themselves and then assisted the students in becoming this.
John was also a great member of the staff team, always compassionate and there to listen to others while also having a very contagious laugh which brightened up the office.
I feel lucky enough to count John as one of my friends.
Richard Heathcote
29 Apr 2019I have had the pleasure of meeting John around a year ago after he kindly came to our school and gave out prizes at our sports awards evening. From that moment it was clear that John’s focus is on making a difference with young people. He gave a fantastic motivational speech to the students who were hooked and engaged in what they were hearing. John is an inspiration to many of our students and his ability to connect with them and understand where they have come from and their current situations is a real asset. John currently works with some of our academically and socially hard to reach students in a mentoring capacity and the rapport he builds with these students has really helped to make an impact on their school life. John is extremely positive with the students and this has helped him to build strong relationships with the hard to reach students he talks to on a daily basis which has impacted positively in their self confidence and belief. John is always willing to go the extra mile for students and I highly recommend his services.
Angus Reith
21 May 2019It was a fortuitous day when I first crossed paths with John; I remember it clearly as I was being taken on a tour of PSCA by the headteacher as part of my interview process. it was a strange experience because I felt that merely on eye contact, John looked into me as saw me as I am. Indeed, it was the fact that PSCA had John as Behaviour Lead that led to me making the decision to join PSCA as Computing and Digital Safety Lead. From that time onwards I counted John as my closest colleague and worked closely with him as we developed an alternative provision for our most hard to reach students. John is unlike any other practitioner that I have met – the iron fist in the velvet glove; he connects with disenfranchised and disengaged young people in a unique, nurturing and supportive way, seeing the strengths and positives in all and never giving up on a young person. John was a pillar of the school during his tenure; a mentor; a coach; a role model. I would consider any establishment very lucky indeed to secure John’s guidance and professionalism – he is a unique asset and I’m proud to consider him a friend.
Nina Canavan
4 Jun 2019John is a close friend of mine and I had the pleasure of working with him at our Company PM Training. John has mentored and coached a number of our learners who otherwise would not engage with other staff members or learners in work groups. I would describe Johns approach to working with learners as ‘unique’ in the way he gets them to open up about themselves and deal with any issues or barriers they may be facing. He has also impacted on their personal lives where relationships with the learners parents have broken down. John will meet with the parents and learners and openly suggest ways of building their relationships back up with great positive outcomes. I would recommend John in any mentoring role where he understands and works in his own way using his own experience to help make learners build on their self esteem, motivation and confidence to reach their future goals in life. You can guarantee positive outcomes with learners John works with.
YMCA
3 Sep 2019John was great, we need more John Gayle’s in this world. Passionate about what he does and inspiring.
Thanks again.” – Mark Roberts
I brought Jon to the attention of the YMCA after seeing him mentor one of our young people. He made a huge impact on me, he is both talented and inspirational, he has brought out the positives in our young person and is encouraging him to achieve and reach his goals. I would love him to be more involved with our young people at the YMCA as he has the knowledge and enthusiasm to inspire and change lives. Thank you for telling us your back story Jon, you have achieved so much and should be very proud of yourself – Sandra Pendleton
A very insightful and well delivered course. You could see John was very passionate about the subject, I learnt more in depth of the problems surrounding gangs and knife crime and thoroughly enjoyed the day – Sam Hollyoak
Dr Alex Alexandrou
13 Nov 2019was introduced to John Gayle early on in my tenure as a Director of Solihull Moors FC with responsibility for Education and Community projects. I was asked to work with John to develop Football, Education, Social Enterprise and Social Justice projects based around Knife Crime, Gangs and Wellbeing.
I was immediately struck and impressed by the knowledge and passion that John demonstrates in relation to the issues that we are addressing and seeking to deal with through the various projects the club is developing. John is passionate about the projects we are working on and has put in a great deal of time and effort to help set them up.
John is conscientious, dedicated, enthusiastic and professional. He believes in the work he is doing. In great part, this is based on his own life and sporting experiences. He has considerable knowledge and expertise that he can pass on to young people that will help them re-focus, engage, energise and reflect in a manner that will allow them to make life-changing decisions for the betterment and fulfilment of their lives.
As a direct result of this, commencing shortly, John will be addressing students as well as working with selected students with our partner school Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst.
John’s other attributes include being always punctual and well prepared for meetings. Additionally and more importantly from my perspective, he has a presence and modesty that people can relate to. I witness this every time we have meetings with outside bodies and when fans meet him at the club.
I highly commend John to you and your organisation.
Dr Alex Alexandrou
Director
Solihull Moors FC
Andy Carpenter
13 Nov 2019It gives me great pleasure to provide a reference for John Gayle. I have known John as both a colleague and a friend for over fifteen years. I am now the interim Headteacher at Plymouth School of Creative Arts (PSCA) and have known John in a professional capacity when I worked at Kingsbridge School, Dartmouth Academy and recently when he was employed full time at PSCA.
He was employed at PSCA from the 4th January 2016 where he was a Behaviour and Safeguarding Officer. In this role he made significant impact working with a range of students with complex behavioural needs across the age range from reception up to Year 11. John has the ability to relate particularly well with students who are disengaging with school. He has a range of contacts especially through his sporting connections to help motivate students and get them back to engage with school. He uses his own experiences powerfully to help support students and work alongside them. He builds strong relationships with both the students and the parents so there is a mutual trust and respect. For example he would regularly take students at the weekend to see Plymouth Argyle developing positive role modelling and relationships. From these opportunities some of our students started their own football blogs and radio programmes. John left over a year ago but students still speak about him and the experiences he created.
John is a great team player. He has the ability with his enthusiasm and persona to drive staff with him and when he left the school to build his own company was a great loss to the life of the school. Through his company he is going to be working with PSCA one day a week to work with targeted students and their parents to move their learning forward as they have significant barriers through their lack of engagement and poor behaviour for learning skills. This will have a massive impact for these students but also his presence will build confidence with the staff working with him and help change the culture for these students within the school.
I would recommend John wholeheartedly to support within an educational environment and move especially vulnerable students who are hard to reach and exhibit complex behavioural needs in their learning journey and next steps.
Sarah Minty-Dyke
20 Dec 2021I just wanted to thank both you and Rebeca Hewitt for giving our school the opportunity to have John Gayle do his amazing presentation to our year 9 students, I just wish that we could have him for all year groups. I have never known a presentation/assembly hit so many key areas in one go and yet still managing to keep the students focused and engaged throughout. It was not just what John spoke about, it is John himself. He speaks with passion and from the heart. Children and young people can tell if someone is genuine and John, definitely comes across as genuine which is why he had such a captive audience.
John’s presentation was also a roller coaster of emotions, sad, emotional, hard hitting but also uplifting and empowering. John spoke about his life experience with such honesty you couldn’t help but be moved. There would have been some element of his presentation that would have resonated with everyone in the room both students and staff. The topics John covered were:
• Growing up in a single parent household
• Parent in prison
• Mental Health/Wellbeing concerns
• Parental mental health concerns
• Young Carer
• Racism, Prejudice, Discrimination
• Bullying
• Abuse
• Bereavement/Loss
• Gangs and youth violence
• Knife/Gun Crime
• Drugs
• Peer pressure
• School exclusion
• Opportunities/Choices
• Following your dreams
• Achieving your goals through hard work and determination
• Key people/Mentor
So you can see why it is so good.
Thanks again
Sarah Minty-Dyke
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Teignmouth Community School
Andy Goodwin Deputy Headteacher Teign School
20 Dec 2021John Gayle started working with the school in September 2021 where he carried out two services. The first was a presentation to our Year 10 students. This is a year group where we have had concerns relating to some of the underlying behaviour of individuals particularly related to racism and intolerance. We have also had some concerns around inappropriate sexualised behaviour. Whilst John did not specifically cover that area in his presentation, he covered respect and tolerance and this has had some anecdotal impact. The main thrust of the presentation was extremely impactful on a the year group. In terms of evidence, we have not see any further reports of racism in the year group to date and, whilst this may not be fully attributed to John’s intervention, the general feedback from the students both in the presentation and after it, was noticeable. An example of this was a child who emailed John directly to show how his appreciation and to highlight how it was good to hear from him because he shared many of the same experiences. John’s lived experience and ability to share that with the students in a ‘language’ that teachers and other school based professionals cannot, means that he is able to connect with the young people almost instantly and hold their interest with what he has to say. The fact that he was a professional footballer also brings in a positive angle for a number of our young men, in particular, who immediately look up to him. This was evident in his brief interaction with one Year 9 boy who immediately responded to John’s advice about how to conduct himself.
The second way in which John has worked and had an impact is to mentor three of our Year 11 young men. Each of them have concerns related to anti-social behaviour, behaviour within school and vulnerability to exploitation. Not only has John been a resource for the school to access about how to support them, but more importantly, he very quickly (within one session) got to the root of the boys behaviour and began to address these issues through the sessions he ran. One of the three boys had rejected all previous attempts by the school to engage him in support. Although nervous about meeting him, the young man immediately settled and John has become the only professional to date that has been able to reach out to him and engage him addressing the underlying problems. The young mans school circumstances have changed and the parents have been very keen to maintain John’s involvement recognising the positive impact it is having. John also goes beyond the school and, with parental permission, has attended football matches at the weekend to show his engagement and support. This has been very much appreciated by both the young man and the parents. Beyond this, John has been willing to engage in supporting the family of the young men and has really got to the heart of their difficulties. His impact is difficult to measure as the boys still continue to be of concern, however, this was perhaps expected given the degree of trauma that each of them have faced and the short time frame in which he has been able to work with him. Given early intervention and more time to carry out his work, I have no doubt that John would have had a more measurable impact on their lives.
On a more personal level, John has been able to provide me and the school with an insight into the lives of these young people – one we had not been able to achieve through other methods. The school very much appreciates the work that he has done for us and we would wholeheartedly recommend his further involvement in the local community and schools. I very much hope that the funding can be found so that John’s work can be used to help and support more vulnerable young adults in the local area.
Bojana
20 Aug 2022Hi John,
>
> Joshka told me this morning you were leaving KEVICC, and we are both gutted to hear those new though I am sure that Joshka will be fine…which actually is largely thanks to the support and guidance you’ve given him. I have no idea where we would be now had it not been for your brilliant influence on Joshka. You appeared when he sorely needed both a positive male role model, and an adult whom he could trust. Now he is so much more settled and each time he makes me proud (which is pretty much daily), I internally thank you, John, for all you have given to Joshi and therefore our family.
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> I am wishing you all the very best for the future – I’m sure that wherever you go, it will be great cos you’ll be there!
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> With all best wishes.
>
> Bojana
Rachael Croft
27 Dec 2022Hi.
This is the feedback that I have given to my Sgt. He is collecting feedback for the evaluation.
John and I have been working together for over a year.
We work in Teign School and Teignmouth school. We are there at the same time and we decide, with the school which students should go with John or myself.
John tends to work with the higher need students. Those who are involved in drug use and on the fringes of gang type behaviour out in the community. These students also tend to be at risk of permanent exclusion from school due to their behaviour.
Sometimes, John and I will see a student together. This has worked well and gives a different dimension to the intervention. John has also “paved the way” for me to work with some students who would not, ordinarily engage with the Police.
Since John has been working with the students in the schools, they have arrived at school on time. They have been wearing the correct uniform and engaging more in lessons. The number of internal exclusions don’t appear to be as high and they certainly aren’t at risk of permanent exclusion any more. Their names aren’t being mentioned in the community like they were and they don’t appear to be involved in ASB or crime thus reducing the impact on Police resources.
I know that John has also gone above and beyond by attending various football matches/sports events that his students are involved in. This makes the students feel like they matter. This is a really important part of mentoring.
Overall, the impact of Johns mentoring has been significant and tangible. Affecting the lives of the young people but also reducing the demand on the schools and the Police.
OS
16 Dec 2024Hello everyone reading this. This is about the wizard that is John Gayle. I have tried to explain a couple of the conversations me and John have had over the 4 years that I have know him.
The first time I talked to John was when I was in year eight and acting like a complete t**t. One of the first things that John said to me was “So, what is going on girl”. To that I just laughed it off and probably said “Nothing” or “I don’t know what you talking about?”
or some equally worthless words. He then proceeded to surprise me by saying “Don’t give me that bull**** you wouldn’t be talking to
me if it was nothing”.
At that I knew I had met my match because John Gayle does not take anyones bull****. He will happily deal with you screaming or crying and punching
maybe even crawling out a window but not if you have him on for a foul! Theres no point, I’ve come to the concussion that he’s basically a mindreader.
After that John managed to get me to talk more about what I was dealing with then I ever had before. I
learned a lot about John that day and that he didn’t do his job for money or for recognition he does it because he is the exception. The best kind of person because he knows how to talk to someone and how to listen to anyone.
Later on after knowing John for about a year and him now knowing all about the bad and the good he got told me and a friend had painted the school corridor green. I didn’t care that I would get in trouble or that the teachers were going to exclude me or that they shouted at me but as soon as I saw John marching down the hall I wanted to fall into a hole in the ground.
John put me in my place again! He didn’t shout like most teaches do or send me to a different room to
have to sit in silence. he just stood in front of me and said you know better and you can’t behave like this and that it was disrespectful. That embraced me more than any words a teacher could have said and I could not make eye contact with this man who could tell me more about my life than I could. What I’m trying to say is that John is not like a teacher or school councillor no hate to them but you know. He’s John Gayle. He is the person I respect more than anyone. So when he told me to get it together of course I did the exact opposite. Every time he took me aside for a chat or took me out for a walk to get me out of school. I can’t remember a time I didn’t feel relief after talking to John. he didn’t
always make me laugh or smile but he always gave me the time I needed.
Later that year I was going through a hard point in my life. John knew but didn’t quiz me or try get me to talk about it because I think he already know. he is good at that. he simply continued to be there and talk to me in a way he always had in a way no friend or parent or career can. he always seemed to know what I was going to say before I even had a chance to think of it. I honestly don’t know how to explain how much John has helped me through the past 4 years. It’s something I can’t put into words. He saved me and he’s saved many of my friends too. He’s the most inspiring person I have ever meet and
will ever meet. and I don’t mean because he was a football player although that’s pretty cool, but he inspired me because he managed to make him self a football player and them go out and find a way to simply chat to some dump kids and change their lives. I respect John for who he is. For everything he has shared with me and every piece of advise he has given me.
I don’t know what I would have done without John.He helps me everyday without knowing it and I can’t
thank him enough. So thank you from everyone you have helped and I will carry your words with me forthe rest of my life.