Young people from east London who “have turned their lives around” have been recognised for their achievements at an awards ceremony.
Alternative education provider New Way Tuition hosted the event at the Vibe Centre in Becontree.
The accolades included a cooking award, bounce back award, rising star award and personality of the year.
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Director at New Way Tuition, Des Amey, said: “These are kids who are at risk of exclusion – sometimes of going to prison.
“They’ve really turned their lives around and the awards are to highlight that.”
Des said New Way Tuition takes on students who “cannot cope in mainstream [education], mainly for behavioural [reasons], but it also could be for special educational needs”.
He said New Way Tuition is an alternative provider of education with direct contacts to Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Newham and Essex Councils.
Des continued: “The night itself was incredible. The young people turned up all suited and booted and it was really heartwarming.
“We were a bit nervous about whether they would turn up or not because they are some of the most hardcore students in terms of behaviour in the local authority – the ones that were part of gangs – but they turned up with their parents.
“These are the kind of kids that never get awards.
“They’re used to seeing other people get awards and they’re probably not even interested but [at this event] they really cared.”
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