Shannan is a Gypsy Roma Traveller who found regular attendance at school difficult, which made it hard to regularly commit to her studies. She was referred to East Sussex County Council in partnership with Brighton and Hove City Council via their Traveller Education Team, after she decided to gain some qualifications to help her progress to college.

Shannan enrolled upon the Key Stage 4 Pre-Engagement Programme run by East Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council. On her course with Finding Futures (a Hastings-based service run by Brighton Housing Trust) she completed several OCR National Skills Profiles (NSP) qualifications in various subjects. She completed 20 units of 6 different subject areas: Communication Skills, ICT, Personal Skills, Learning Skills, Travel and Tourism, and Hair and Beauty.

At the start of the course Shannan was looking forward to the spectrum of opportunities before her; “As well as getting a qualification, I would like to improve on my group work, my motivation for doing things I don’t like, my planning and interview skills” she said. By the time the course ended Shannan had enthused; “The fact is I have enjoyed doing the modules on this course and wish there had been more sessions”.

Shannan’s end of term report read: “Shannan has participated well both independently and as part of a small group. She produced a large amount of work of a very good standard and has shown her creativity. She should be very proud of herself and what she has achieved. She is very capable and hard working.”

Shannan intends to take these qualifications forward and progress into further learning, and is progressing to a Business Admin course with a local training provider. She says; “I am pleased I went on the course, because I now have some qualifications”.