JC was a student at school when l first started working there. There were 18 students in vulnerable situations, all from different backgrounds with no qualifications and the school wanted to exclude them permanently. The group had a reputation in the local area, for street fighting and selling drugs on the streets.
JC had ASD, anxiety and depression and had a temper too. JC didn’t like change, he had a bond with the group he never wore the school uniform (tracksuits to school).
On a daily basis, he was late to school or sitting out of school on the wall, walking out of lessons, disrupting others in class and damaging school property.
I would wait at the gates for JC every day so he would know that someone was there. Eventually, he walked into school still swearing and shouting, but nevertheless he came into school willingly. JC was a very popular student.
I would sit with JC in lessons or stand in the class doorway. When he felt agitated he would run towards the door but he would look at me to say stop me. We would walk towards the door together and go outside the class to talk about why is he here. This would always calm him down and he would return to his sit and continue his work.

The group of 18 students become my tutor group. JC started coming to school wearing the proper uniform and in turn the others followed. JC and the group had no qualifications, so we set up a programme of basic skills with the College (City of Bristol). JC went on to do Mechanics Level 1 and Plumbing Level 1 Painting and decorating functions skills and Numeracy.
He then went on to do his GCSE English, Maths and History, Btec Sports at school. He got into to College to continue with Plumbing. Now JC is very successful in his own right, working for a Plumbing company and driving a company van.
JM was successful in getting into college studying Mechanics and achieved his GCSE English, Maths and History, Btec Sports at school.