This story features a real girl whom we shall call Jane. She is now 10. Two years ago she was out of control, swearing at teachers, throwing chairs around, not learning anything and not wanting to be at school. Her life prospects were bad. She was very close to permanent exclusion from school. Things had gone wrong at home as well and her mother was in despair. All teachers will recognise the type of child she was. One year later, she was still at the same school and was awarded a prize for good behaviour - a prize fully earned. Her life chances are now good. She is young enough to make up lost ground. She is real, not fictional. Many other children really need a taste of success like this.
A second life story. We shall call him Trevor, not his real name but he is real. At 12 years old, he too was close to exclusion, at least his teachers thought him difficult. Like many boys like him, a future without qualifications lay ahead. That was 2001; but now Trevor is in University, studying computer science and preparing for something he had once never imagined - a career as a graduate.
The simple message is PLEASE do not give up on any child.
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