Anything is Possible: Pilot Offers Students Chance to Boost Their Aspirations

Dozens of youngsters have enjoyed the chance to boost their career aspirations in a new pilot.

Year 10 pupils from five Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) in Tees Valley took part in a string of team-building events and tasters on employment available in an event organised by the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

The aim of the week, called “Anything is Possible”, was to raise the self-esteem of the students.

Referral units are a type of school that caters for children who aren’t able to attend a mainstream school. Pupils are often referred there if they need greater care and support than their school can provide, including for those permanently excluded from their mainstream school for behaviour reasons, or at risk of permanent exclusion.

It can also include those experiencing emotional or behavioural difficulties, including problems with anger, mental health issues, and school phobia/refusal to attend.

Students from Rise Carr College, Darlington, Horizons in Hartlepool, River Tees M.A.T. in Middlesbrough, Archways Academy in Redcar and Cleveland, and the Bishopton Centre in Stockton took part.

Those attending got a chance to enjoy an outdoor “vagabonding session” in Saltburn Woods and attend the Learning Curve MPTC military centre where they could sample what the Army had to offer.

Students were also able to work on their employability skills before a celebration event at the Riverside Stadium on Friday – with the Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen in attendance.

Mayor Houchen said: “Anything truly is possible in our region and it’s great to see we’re working hard on not leaving anyone behind by showing our young people just how many opportunities are out there for them.

“It was a real pleasure to meet those involved. We need our workforce of the future to be ambitious and realise they can build a good future close to home.

“With projects at Teesworks and across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool we have jobs suited to all skills levels which need filling.

“We’ve a long way to go, but events like this show we’re doing everything we can to create a brighter future for everyone.”