Over the last few weeks, 4 ‘Hope Training’ students have been working hard to put together their work portfolios and finish off their work. Alongside their ‘vocational’ qualifications, they’ve also been working towards Functional Skills – equivalent to GCSE – in English and Maths.

For these young people, achieving any qualification is a major achievement. They have all found education very difficult throughout their lives, and each came to The Door because they weren’t able to cope and feared they would end up with nothing.

Whilst the vocational qualifications are assessed by our team of tutors on the work they complete, to gain Functional Skills they have to sit an exam. This is another daunting prospect for the group. Whilst adhering to strict guidelines around exam conditions, we are able to make the exam experience as comfortable as possible. The exams are completed online or on paper, with the student deciding which they’d prefer. They are taken in their normal teaching room with staff who they know and trust invigilating.

Even so, the experience is very stressful and each of them were anxious before the exams. However, they all coped exceptionally well, and did their best. We’re so proud of them for coming this far, to be able to sit these exams alone is a massive achievement. We’re even more proud to announce that all 4 of them passed their Level 1 English exams!

3 of them will be moving on to college in September, whilst the 4th has already got a job and is looking to become independent. Great outcomes for them all.