Street League Helps Young People succeed Outside the Classroom
Street League has launched a new campaign to demonstrate how young people who do not succeed in school or exams can still become a success in life.
‘Made Outside The Classroom’ celebrates the transformational stories of young people who, with support from the charity, have overcome significant barriers and achieved success outside of traditional education.
The campaign features a powerful video voiced by Terroll Lewis, the former Brixton gang member who is now the successful founder and boss of Block Workout gym. In the video Terroll reassures young people “there’s no time limit” on success and that while “some were made in the classroom, we are made outside of it”.
At this time of year, thousands of young people across the UK will be feeling unsure about what to do after school, and afraid of what might happen if they have not achieved the exam results they need for college. In 2015, 46% of pupils did not achieve five or more A* to C (including English and Maths), which is the required entry into college. This increased to 66% of people on FSM (free school meals).
Street League provides an award-winning sport and education programme to help unemployed 16 to 25-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds get into work and training. It also works with national and local employers to provide work placement and apprenticeship opportunities which frequently lead to permanent employment.
Matt Stevenson-Dodd, Chief Executive of Street League, said: “Through this campaign, we want to reach out to young people across the UK who are worried about their future after not achieving the grades they had hoped for this week.
“At Street League we have supported thousands of young people into work and training, and we know that school isn’t always a ‘one size fits all’ solution. We want more young people to join our programmes so they too can realise their potential and become a success.”
Former Street League participant Tom, from Manchester, said: “For me school was tough. It wasn’t my cup of tea and I found it hard. I was out of work for about six months and I was just getting side jobs here and there. I felt worthless and I thought my future was going nowhere.
“I attended the Street League Academy programme for eight weeks. Street League helped me with my interview technique, confidence and socialising. After that I went for a job interview at Jewson where I got a two-week trial. I got told I’d got the job after a week! Now I feel like I’ve got a future.”
“I’d definitely recommend Street League to other people - it’s just a better way to get into work.”
The release of GCSE results comes just one week after the world’s biggest global sporting event. With this year’s Olympic medal winners including some of the youngest ever, this puts a further spotlight on the alternative path which sport can provide to traditional education. Terroll Lewis said: “I can really relate to a lot of the problems that young people face today. I’ve been through it and come out the other side. School wasn’t for me, but look where I am now running my own business. I used to play a lot of football, and now run my own fitness company, and I completely agree that sport can be used to teach so many life skills which are important for work.”