The 'Step-Up' education programme is Cambridge-based charity Romsey Mill's course for young people (aged 14-16) who are struggling to engage with mainstream school including those who have been, or are at risk of being, excluded. It aims to re-engage and provide vocational courses and qualifications.
The course has been inspired by experience in schools, colleges, and Pupil Referral Units (centres managed by local authorities for people excluded from mainstream school), and has been developed over a number of years.
Courses and awards offered as part of 'Step-Up' focus on enterprise, leadership, personal and team skills, and contribution to the community. They include:
- St John's Ambulance Young First Aider Award
- Sports Leadership
- Cooking and Catering
- Music Technology
- Lifeguard training
- Childcare
- Diploma for Entry to the Uniformed Services (Fire, Police, Prison Service, RAF, Navy or Army)
Neil Perry, CEO of Romsey Mill, said: "We are so proud of what these young people have achieved. It speaks volumes of their efforts and their hard work, and the efforts of the community they have around them – especially staff and volunteers from Romsey Mill and Cambridge University Press – who have given their time, money and support to the Step-Up programme and proved to these young people that they are valued and that there are options."
Cambridge University Press has supported Romsey Mill since 2010, in particular its two education programmes, one of which is 'Step-Up', by offering expertise on projects, staff volunteering hours, services in kind, and donating, with the majority through staff fundraising efforts, £29,000 to Romsey Mill's education programmes so far.
Reproduced courtesy of Cambridge University Press.
For more news stories visit www.cambridge.org; for more information contact press@cambridge.org