STUDENTS who significantly improved their academic prospects while studying at the Oakfield Project were presented with commemorative certificates on Friday.

 

The presentation for Year 11 pupils from the school was chock-full of cheers and applause as Mayor of Swindon Maureen Penny congratulated and shook hands with every winner.

 

The Oakfield Project provides an alternative to mainstream education for teenagers who have struggled in a traditional school environment.

 

The results speak for themselves – every student will be transitioning to a college, vocational course or other further education at places including Swindon College and Wiltshire College in September and most are expected to pass or already have passed their GCSE exams.

 

Spencer Cutler is joint-headteacher at the project with Kim Tupper.

 

Mr Cutler said: “We are celebrating their hard work and success in and out of the classroom.

 

“All the staff at the project are extremely proud of the students.

 

"In many ways we are sad to see them go as they are part of our family.”

 

Mayor Penny spoke to students and staff before the awards were given out.

 

She said: “When I was in school, I didn’t always do very well and when I got an award, it was a real boost.

 

“Congratulations to everyone getting an award today, enjoy it, it’s your day.”

 

Awards were given out for achievement and effort in each academic subject, at work experience placements, and for performance on college taster courses that pupils had done during their time at the project, which ranged from a few months to two years.

 

William Hutton-Clark, John Gunning, Rue Corless, Callum Powells, and Grace Laing all won several awards each.

 

Other winners included Ash Lawrence, Leah McGahey, Megan Chester, Conor Carter, Alisha Darville and Shannon Andrews.

 

A few light-hearted awards like ‘Biggest Diva’ were also given out towards the end of the presentation.

 

Teachers from some of the schools which referred the pupils to the project attended the presentation, including Keith Defter from The Commonweal School, who is retiring next month after working at the school and supporting the Oakfield Project for several years.

 

Staff at the project thanked him and he said a few words about how vital the work they do is.

 

Mr Defter said: “It’s really important that this project continues, what it does is unique and brilliant.”

 

The Oakfield Project is an alternative education provision that was formed in 2011.

 

It works in partnership with the local education authority and is funded and supported by six schools within Swindon: Churchfields Academy, Commonweal School, Dorcan Technology College, Lydiard Park Academy, St Joseph's Catholic College and Nova Hreod College.