Teenagers who took part in a pioneering project led by educational experts to tackle the South West’s “NEET” crisis are celebrating GCSE success.
Researchers at the University of Exeter partnered with Exeter College to help children not currently in school to sit the GCSE exams in maths and English they need to get back into education, employment or training.
Devon and Cornwall have some of the highest rates of young people out of school in England. Some have withdrawn from education due to challenges associated with their special educational needs and disabilities.
Without a school place it is difficult and expensive for these young people to sit GCSE exams. Having no formal qualifications can prevent or delay them starting the course they would most like to at college and can be a barrier to them moving on to an apprenticeship or employment.
The project is led by Dr Luke Graham and Professor Anna Zimdars from the University of Exeter. The work is funded through philanthropic donations to the University of Exeter and by Devon County Council.
This year 25 young people on the project’s pilot have been supported by Dr Graham and Professor Zimdars to sit English and maths GCSEs, with Exeter College giving exam preparation support and acting as the exam centre.
The aim of the initiative was to provide the young people with the opportunity to take exams, which they have studied for themselves at home.
All learners achieved a grade in their maths GCSE, with almost half of them gaining at least a grade 4. Similarly in English GCSE all learners gained a graded qualification, with an incredible 62% getting a 4 or above and almost one in five of them getting the highest GCSE grades of 6 to 9.
Young people taking part in the project had the opportunity to sit mock exams with feedback from Exeter College teachers. On average their grades rose from the mock to the GCSE exam by a grade for maths and over two grades for English.
All of the people now have a progression route for the next academic year – mostly at Exeter College with some starting training.
The project will run again next year, with around 300 young people on a waiting list.
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