A NEW extra-curricular venture to help children who have been excluded from schools has held a series of taster days ahead of a launch later this year.

Queensberry Alternative Provision (AP) hosted eight UCAN students at Boxing Fit Academy, Lostock Gralam, engaging them in workshops including boxing sessions with Frank Collins.

In September, the launch of the 12 Rounds initiative will see children spend one day per week for a whole term with Queensberry AP, while – from next year – the ‘Going the Distance’ programme would extend to a full academic year.

Run by Paul Cooper and Nic Martin, who have previously worked across sectors including social care, mainstream education and pupil referral units, Queensberry AP and partner agencies including police help support children in education.

Paul said: “We decided upon this new venture in order to support vulnerable young people who may have become disengaged with education.

“In 2015-16 Cheshire West local authority schools handed out 1,783 exclusions, whilst in Cheshire East there were over 2,000.

"The most common reason for exclusion is ‘persistent disruptive behaviour’.

"Permanent exclusions within Cheshire West rose from 20 to 25 whilst the number nationally has risen by 10 per cent in the last year. Queensberry AP aims to tackle this trend.”

Boxing is at the heart of the scheme as a ‘vehicle’ to promote respect, positive behaviour and engagement in the classroom – all through improved mental health and self esteem. It also lends its name to the emerging long-term programmes.

Paul said: “Our ‘12 Rounds’ programme which will enable us to show the impact not just on the engagement and education of these individual students but also on the wider community.”

Events at the taster days also featured restorative justice, social and emotional aspects of education, self-esteem and a talk by a serving HMP Thorn Cross inmate about prison life and the consequences of behaviour.

Meals over the two-day taster event – on Monday and Tuesday – were provided by Miles Smethurst of Eat Clean Cuisine.

The scheme is open to children aged 11 to 16 on a referral basis from schools and councils, culminating in a showcase and graduation ceremony.

See queensberryap.com for more.