ACT Schools GCSE Success

Despite the challenges of the pandemic and the upheaval it has had on the education system, ACT Schools provision are celebrating yet another fantastic year of GCSE results. 2020 has been the School’s most successful to date with 85% of learners achieving the Level 1 threshold (5 GCSE’s or equivalent from D-G) which is up 51% from last year.

Learner, Izaak Salmon achieved an A Grade for English as well as gaining the Level 2 threshold of securing 5 GCSE’s between A-C Level. Izaak has already secured employment after finishing with ACT Schools and will be taking up a Heating apprenticeship. Speaking about his success, Izzak commented, ” I have done far better at ACT than I would have done in mainstream education.”

ACT Schools was formed in 2012, in response to the number of young people engaging with ACT at age 16 with deficient literacy and numeracy skills. ACT developed a specific, targeted Schools Programme as an attempt to redress this fundamental issue, currently a barrier for far too many young people across Wales. ACT strongly believe that early intervention is needed to ensure all young people, especially those disengaged with education, are able to enter the world of work with the best possible chance of success.

With centres in Cardiff and Caerphilly, ACT Schools offer an alternative education to young people who have been excluded or are at risk of exclusion, who are school phobic or are classed as vulnerable. The programme is designed to engage young people and help them overcome their barriers to participation, preparing them for adulthood and the world of work.

Speaking on the success of this year’s learners, Kelly Rowlands, Head of 11-16 Education, commented, “I am incredibly proud of the achievements of both the learners and the staff. The achievements of our learners shouldn’t be overshadowed by the current situation. They have done amazingly well and should be commended on their successes. They have secured strong foundations to see them forward in to the next chapters of their lives and its brilliant to see so many continuing within ACT.”