Ben

Ben, 16, lives in Leeds with his mum, step dad and younger brother and sister. Ben has been supported by Leeds Reach@ Barnardo’s, a partnership service that provides educational support for young peopled aged 11- 16 who have been excluded or are at risk of permanent exclusion from main stream schooling in Leeds.

Pupils, who are mainly African-Caribbean and dual heritage, receive a varied curriculum over 12 weeks.

After a series fights and disruptive behaviour when he was in year 9, Ben was ‘secluded’ from his school. He was then excluded for three weeks when he was in year 10.

Ben said:

“I started kicking off when I was in year 9. I was having tantrums in the class and started swearing at the teachers. I felt really angry and got into a couple of fights with kids at school. I felt really frustrated and didn’t feel that any one was listening to me or understanding me. I was trying to voice an opinion and I couldn’t get across what I wanted to say. I can understand that I got kicked out of school because I was being disruptive but I couldn’t deal with what I was feeling at the time.

“I remember one time I kicked off really badly, swearing at the teacher, and I was put in seclusion for a week. That meant I still came into school but I had to come in at different hours to everyone else – at 11.30am and leave at 4.30. I wasn’t in my normal classes so I was taught by other teachers. In my head at that time it was alright to act like this, I didn’t care much.”

Things deteriorated further for Ben at school after that. His behaviour towards staff got worse and he was involved in more fights, resulting in a permanent exclusion for three weeks in Year 10. Ben’s form tutor and the deputy head spoke with Ben’s family and it was decided to refer him to Leeds Reach @Barnardo’s.

“I knew a friend who’d been here so I kind of knew what to expect, but I still felt  nervous. I was upset about everything that had happened at school and was upset to be taken out. Gavin, one of the workers, came to talk to me when I first got there and asked me if I wanted a game of football. I remember being really quiet but it was ok after a while.”

“The people at Leeds Reach treated me with respect and they taught me to respect myself. They taught me to think before I do anything, and think about the consequences. They taught me to calmer. Gavin would talk to me and he gave me some ideas for strategies of how to cope when I felt angry.”

Ben has now returned to school successfully and carried on with his studies.

“I felt really sorry for what I’d done, I can see now that my behaviour wasn’t right. I have apologised to the teachers. I think I made myself look stupid with my peers. Now I have more self respect and can make myself calm down when I feel I’m getting angry.”

Ben added: “Leeds Reach is an opportunity to make a new person out of you. I was going off the rails and it brought me back on track. I’d say to anyone who comes here, hold your head up high and don’t be scared.”

Ben has been predicted good grades at GCSE ( A-C) and plans to go to University after A levels. He is unsure as to what he’d like to do but a career as a pilot is one he’s considering.

Ben’s mum, Deanne, is a qualified primary school teacher. She said:

“I felt Leeds Reach@Barnardo’s was a good alternative to school and provided that temporary safety net that Ben needed at that time. Ben benefitted such a lot. He was going through certain issues and needed that break from school. I know Ben was apprehensive about coming here – he didn’t want to be associated with what he thought were ‘bad’ boys, but I know that it’s set up to help young people just like Ben. If he hadn’t come here I know he would have been permanently excluded – and where would we be then?

“I don’t think Ben realised the severity of his behavior at the time. Before he was very closed but after coming here he’s more open, he talks now about what he wants to do with his life. I’ve always pushed Ben to believe in himself and Leeds Reach@Barnardo’s has done that too.”