Youngsters are being given a second chance at an education, thanks to a service being run at a site on Sheppey.

Permanently excluded 14 to 16-year-olds are being taught an alternative curriculum at the Queenborough and Rushenden Gateway.

The Swale Skills and Tutorial Centre, run by Kent County Council, has been operating there since September and this is the first time it has been given a central hub.

Currently, 36 year 10 and 11 pupils are registered from around Swale.
They are taught a range core of subjects, such as maths, English and science, as well as vocational subjects in small group sessions that are tailored to each individual.

They also have a choice of taking art, public service and a BTEC in sport.
Services are linked with other groups for young people like Catch 22 in Sheerness, where they can take up things like cooking, radio and gardening.

Rachael Davies, 42, teaches art, personal development and science at the centre in Rushenden Road, Rushenden.

She said: “We are enriching the students’ curriculum so they have a choice of learning.

“Historically we are dealing with students who haven’t done well in mainstream. What we are looking at is promoting them and building up their confidence.”

The students make their own way to the centre, weekdays from 9am to 2.30pm and are given use of three classrooms on site.

Miss Davies, who previously worked as a gypsy and traveller liaison officer for AmicusHorizon, said she gets a lot of satisfaction working with the youngsters.

She said: “We do have some with ADHD, we have some that have behavioural problems and some with learning difficulties.

“At times it can be challenging, it can be stressful but it feels like you can make a real difference to the students’ lives. For me, I find it the most rewarding job I’ve ever done.

“Some of them can’t cope with mainstream education, they need one to one teaching or group sessions.

“They feel like they have been written off, when they are just students that need support.”