Pictured: Fleur Sexton
Over 5,500 students have secured GCSE equivalent qualifications
in four years due to a pioneering education company based in
Coventry.
Award-winning Progressive Educational Tools (PET) is the only
company in the UK to provide intensive GCSE courses for students
who are mainly care leavers, looked after children and those
referred by local authorities as well as pupils excluded from
school and pupil referral units.
Figures collated following the announcement of this year's GCSE
results show the company's trainers have been instrumental in
helping 5,564 students across the country pass a total of 11,708
GCSE equivalents since the 2007/08 academic year.
The statistics reveal 1,236 youngsters have passed PET's courses
in Coventry and 1,118 in Warwickshire.
Fleur Sexton, joint managing director at PET which is based at
Mercia Business Village, Torwood Close, Westwood Business Park,
said the results proved their courses worked with youngsters who
otherwise would probably not attain any educational
qualifications.
"A perfect example is Cardinal Wiseman RC Secondary School in
Birmingham where 100 per cent of students who attended every day
achieved their C grade in Maths GCSE which was an amazing result,"
she said.
"Our GCSE equivalent courses are run by experienced staff in an
informative and engaging way which really allows students to show
their talents and we are now running full GCSEs in all EBacc
subjects as required by the government.
"Often, the youngsters we deal with have proved difficult to
reach but we show them that they can pass their exams with a high
level of support and running interesting courses.
"These achievements also help youngsters continue their
education because they can then go on to apply for college courses
and really make a difference to their lives as well as integrate
back into their own communities.
"We have developed a reputation across the UK for changing the
attitudes and behaviour of those taking part in our courses and
their success means schools can meet their government exam
targets.
"We travel across the UK from London and Lincolnshire to
Liverpool and Leicestershire because we are committed to leaving a
lasting impact on the schools, communities and students who take
part in our courses.
"To have helped 5,564 students in only four years is a figure
that everyone who works at PET is extremely proud of and after
spending the summer planning the next range of GCSE courses, we are
now heading into schools and colleges to put them into action."
PET provide training and qualifications in a variety of subjects
to schools, colleges, businesses and other organisations across the
UK as well as creating award-winning digital applications for a
world-wide audience.