Our son went to this school, a very very good school they help children with every need. His last school never had time for him but coming here our son can now read and do maths. After 3 years it's a sad day to see him have to go, they give kids confidence in every way AAAAAA+++++ to all mentors and staff and are all very friendly. Thank you for all the help everyone has given him, I feel chocked up writing it as I know he loved coming here and seeing Marley as well.
Whilst visiting Noah's Ark the founder approached our mentor and students, they had a lovely discussion around the history of Noah's Ark and how it evolved. She also expressed that they really enjoy having Education 1st staff and students at Noah's Ark
Thank you Louise for responses - very impressive, supportive approach and much appreciated
Before Alex started at Education 1st he was really struggling with mainstream school. He is on the autistic spectrum and his anxiety levels were through the roof which was causing him to get in all sorts of trouble and he hardly made it into the classroom. Apart from home schooling I never thought there were any other options. From the first time we visited Education 1st we knew it was the best place for him to be. Louise and her team were so friendly and relaxed. Once he started with them, things ran so smoothly. All of his mentors were so lovely and supportive. He was picked up in the morning, did different activities and dropped home. He also was able to study English and Maths there along with some tutoring at home. Being paired with other students of a similar age meant that he was able to form friendships too which he always struggled with. Alex really enjoyed his time with Education 1st. He left with a pass in GCSE English Language and is now at college doing a music production diploma. He has also learnt to drive. He is doing so well. He has no problem getting to lessons and even gets there by bus on his own. Thank you so much Education 1st!
I called a parent of a student to pass on how well his son was getting on at Education 1st. His dad could not thank Education 1st enough for everything that we have done for his boy.
I had to visit CW at home this week to collect a laptop. Both mum and C are really happy with the provision you are providing and I heard he cooked and ate his own food! (which mum had to taste first to show that it was ok). This is an amazing achievement. Thank you so much to you and the mentors for your patience and expertise, he seems happier already. Mum also said she feels really comfortable with you all, the impact you have had on him has also noticeably had an impact on her.
I just want to thank you so much for the work you have done so far with our young person JG, especially you Jordan. He is the happiest I have seen him in months, despite everything that is happening for him outside of school, and he is talking about his future which is something totally new. We use a lot of ALPs and none provide the feedback and the constant contact that you do, so thank you so much.
The service that you offer is fantastic and we will definitely be in touch again when another student needs support. It has been great working with you
Thank you as well for everything you have done for the family, it has certainly made things feel a lot smoother then what they could have been! All the best!
Good afternoon Louise. I hope you are well. I wanted to pass on my thanks for all of the work that you have done with our students. They have enjoyed their time with you and the support that you offer has benefited them greatly.
Hi Louise. As you know T started at * Academy last week. I just wanted to drop you a line to say thankyou for the time T spent with you. When T started with Education 1st his confidence levels were low as he had been out of the system for several months. He had moved 100 miles leaving all his old school friends behind. It was a very difficult time. Right from the first day with Education 1st we could see an improvement. Every day he came home and told us about the activities he had done, the positive interactions he had had with the other children, and the conversations and guidance he had from his mentors. We have now transitioned T into a school which has been almost seamless. We believe this is in no small part down to the help of Education 1st. Thank you so much to everyone who has been involved with his massive improvement.
Thanks for everything Lou. You've helped me and my boy more than you'll ever know, these last months, your enthusiasm and consistency has been incredible. You're an amazing lady and I thank you for all of your help, kind words, patience, advice, and most of all I know you care about all the children like ours, that means the world, to feel confident that you do what you do because you genuinely care, and that shines through. Thank you to you and your brilliant staff. I will keep you updated on Z's progress.
Hannah have a truly well-deserved break. I can't tell you cos there are no words to depress how fantastic you have been and the enormous difference you have made to St back to school experience. I know he wont say it so I will from heart and soul THANK YOU and I hope to see you next term but possibly not as Lou said could be someone else so happy holidays.
Thank you for this lovely report and all that you have done to support him.
I just wanted to put into writing what I said to you this morning when I visited for Z's review. You have managed to engage Z and reduce his anxiety which means he is now accessing learning again and is calmer in his afternoons with us. With the teaching you are providing he is making progress which he found very difficult to do in a mainstream environment. Your record keeping of his learning is also very helpful for us. Thank you - your support is having a very positive impact.
Both A and his mum have told me that he absolutely loves his sessions with you and how beneficial they have been to him, so thank you.
Thank you for all your support. You have set Z up really well for his next setting and I have very much appreciated all your support.
To everyone at Education 1st, Thank you for all the fun times it's been a pleasure meeting you all, hope you have more fun times to come.
To everyone at Education-1st, I had a good time. Thanks for making school fun, that was very kind of you.
All the staff at Education 1st, Thank you for the support you have given M through a difficult time.
I work as a Work2Learn Co-ordinator at a South Gloucestershire secondary school and I have referred many students from ages 11-16 to Education 1st on revolving door programmes. I have always received the most welcoming and professional courtesy from the staff. They work wonders with the students who are challenging and vulnerable to help them feel safe and build their confidence to achieve. Sophie Palmer is always on hand to contact via email or phone, which makes a huge difference when you are trying to secure placements. The mentors keep in touch and feedback from the students is positive. They enjoy their time with Education 1st. Some of these students would otherwise leave school being NEET but Education 1st provides them with life skills and work skills they may not get in school, due to behavioural/family issues. They also work towards ASDAN courses which engage them and supports them in their learning and development. We closely work together and ensure that the students don't see this as a reward and that they have to engage in school as well, to continue having this opportunity.
I work for a Bristol special school and have been placing pupils with Education 1st for the last couple of years. I am very impressed by the provision that they offer in particular how flexible they are and responsive to changing needs. The staff are really approachable and professional and clearly care deeply about the young people they work with. I have been inspired watching how the company has grown and developed over the last few years due to the vision, commitment and skill of the managers of this organisation. Education 1st have worked successfully with some of our most difficult to reach young people and the relationships that their mentors make with our pupils are crucial to their success. I feel really lucky to work in partnership with Education 1st and believe they play a vital role in Bristol's alternative provision.
Our Bristol school has worked successfully with Education 1st for two years. During this time, we have found Education 1st to be an excellent alternative provider. The provision has a clear vision for all its pupils and communicates expertly to the host school on a regular basis. Additionally the school receives written reports and regular monitoring sheets to update the school.
I have known of Sports 1st, and then Education 1st, in my varying roles within Bristol City Council education services for five years or so. In that time, the services provided to the young people with whom I have worked has been sterling. Education 1st engages with some of Bristol's hardest to reach young people and have a wonderful record of success. Their outcomes have included improved attendance, improved social skills, improved GCSE grades, encourage team work and sometimes, initiate career paths into sports leadership. They have also managed to reduce the committing of crimes by some of their pupils by engaging them outside of school hours. The staff, led by Craig Dembicki, remain committed and single-minded in their purpose. I find Craig to be a man driven to achieve the best for the young people with whom he works. I have yet to meet a pupil who has been to Education 1st who does not hold him in high regard. When I worked directly with young people, I never had any reservation in making referrals to Education 1st because it is an organisation that I trust and value.
My school has worked in partnership with Education 1st since November 2012. During this time we have watched the company grow from its small sports based mentoring origins, into a considerably more diverse alternative provision catering for a wide range of young people who are failing to thrive in conventional educational settings. The company now offers additional high quality educational packages with accreditation and qualifications in a range of subjects, including Maths and English. During its period of growth and development the company has continued to demonstrate their central ethos of supportive mentoring and education for the whole child. Communication has been central to this. Staff have listened carefully to the school and parents /carers in order to build an individualised package of support for each child. They have given regular and rigorous termly reports, followed by face to face termly meetings with the school in order to ensure that all aspects of the child's needs are being met. This extends to mentors being present for all relevant meetings regarding the child, including annual reviews of SEN statements and escorting students to interviews and supporting them in their post 16 decision making. Education 1st use a mentor - based supportive approach to their work. Each mentor is carefully chosen, trained and managed in order that the best possible service is offered to the child. Education 1st are vigilant and adhere to strict child protection codes of practice, which we have witnessed first-hand, working hand in hand with the school and other agencies to the benefit of the child. We have been delighted by the impact that Education 1st has on the students we refer. Their academic work and attendance has improved, and critically, student's self esteem, behaviour and social and personal interaction skills have progressed to a level where young people have been able to successfully progress to post 16 college placements. We shall continue to refer some of our most complex and challenging students to Education 1st, secure in the knowledge that they are in safe, caring and dedicated hands.
Our Bristol secondary school has worked successfully with Education 1st for two years. During this time, we have found Education 1st to be an excellent alternative provider. The provision has a clear vision for all its pupils and communicates expertly to the host school on a regular basis. Additionally, the school receives written reports and regular monitoring sheets to update the school. Education 1st recently supported us during an Ofsted Inspection of Alternative Provisions in Bristol and they were praised for their accurate record keeping, relationships with pupils and target setting. We currently have three pupils at this provision who have made excellent progress and who were originally disengaged from mainstream education. All our communications with Education 1st have been extremely professional and at all times, we have found them supportive and accommodating.