Press release:
Students at Red Balloon are celebrating another great set of exam results. Of children who took GCSE English Language, for example, 86% received grades 4 to 9 (the old grades C to A*), and 86% achieved the same in Maths. They gained a whole host of other qualifications alongside, including BTECs and NCFE qualifications in subjects ranging from Animal Care to Music.
Rob Watson is Director of Education and said: “Students and staff have coped with enormous challenges over the last 18 months, having to make considerable adaptations because of the changes in the assessment regime brought about by COVID. We are incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved.”
Red Balloon provides therapeutic and educational support for children unable to attend school because of severe bullying, mental ill-health, trauma or a medical condition. It is an alternative to school with Centres in Cambridge, Norwich, NW London and Reading, alongside its online programme, Red Balloon of the Air. It is opening a new Centre in Worthing next term.
Rob continues: “All of our students have come to us because they simply couldn’t attend mainstream school any more. Many had been missing from lessons for months, if not years. Between them, they’ve overcome a whole range of challenges such as post traumatic stress disorder, severe anxiety and depression, complete loss of confidence, agoraphobia and eating disorders.
“No grade on a certificate can ever express just how amazing our students are. We’re proud of the progress they’ve made and how much they’ve grown as individuals. We hope our students are proud too.”
“We want our students to know that they are all successes and we are on hand to help them move on to whatever happens next. I’m sure the future holds great things for all of them now they have the renewed self-confidence and self-belief they need, alongside their academic results.
“We feel privileged to have been part of their journeys and look forward to hearing about their achievements over the years to come.”
