Stoke on Trent College

At Stoke on Trent College, the award-winning ‘Belonging, Being, Becoming’ project has made a significant difference to the lives of highly vulnerable asylum seeker children in the area.

The innovative programme recognised the acute need to provide courses for unaccompanied asylum seekers aged between 16 and 18 over the summer period to engage, enthuse and prepare learners in preparation for starting college courses in the following academic year.

In 2024, the project saw more than 75 young people take part in life-changing educational and social experiences designed to develop skills such as resilience and tolerance along with team building, including outdoor activities, community projects and a team challenge for 12 hours a week, over nine weeks.

The programme supported learners’ integration not only into college but also into Stoke-on-Trent. Through the use of practices targeted to engage and develop the diverse range of ESOL learners, the team ensured that the language skills, knowledge and behaviours gained provided learners with the confidence and ability to become more independent members of the community, as well as being able to progress onto further courses at the college. Around 60 of the learners progressed onto a Foundation ESOL programme in September where they have continued to receive tuition in maths and English, as well as the wrap-around support that the college offers.