Happy International Education Day from Academy Transformation Trust!

We’re privileged to facilitate the education of over 13,000 learners across our Trust, and today we wanted to take the opportunity to share the impact of our work. The two stories below give a valuable insight into how the hard work of colleagues across our academies helps us achieve our goal of transforming the life chances of our young people.

Holly’s story

Phoenix Academy

From our only specialist SEND school, Phoenix Academy, comes Holly’s story. Holly struggled to adapt to mainstream schooling, but at Phoenix, carefully considered interventions helped her to adjust into a happy, flourishing pupil.

Below, Director of Primary Education Natalie Deen talks about Holly’s journey at Phoenix Academy.

Adam’s Story

ATT Further Education College

Whilst Holly’s story shows us how the dedicated work of academy colleagues can help learners thrive in the classroom, Adam’s story is an important reminder of how the broader work of schools supports those learners in others aspects of their wellbeing.

Adam (not his real name) was a happy and dedicated student at ATT Further Education College– so dedicated that he often came into college even on days he didn’t have classes. Staff at the college noticed changes in Adam’s behaviour, and after the safeguarding team approached him to discuss any problems and how they could support him, it became clear that Adam’s over-attendance was an attempt to get away from a very difficult home life.

College staff immediately sprang into action to help. They assisted Adam, who has ASD, in understanding the implications of the financial and emotional abuse he was undergoing at home, claiming Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit, and finding a new housing situation with more supportive family members. They also referred him to external service that would help him develop the skills he needed to live independently.

Ultimately, it was the professional curiosity of staff, as well as the level of trust established between the ATTFE team and their learners, that helped to lift Adam out of a very difficult situation. He left ATTFE with a Level 3 qualification and, according to the college, ‘a renewed sense of hope for his future’. Adam’s experience at ATTFE truly transformed his life for the better.