Progress Schools support Ewan to see a future worth showing up for

Student attendance has been a hot topic in the world of education lately, with many outlets discussing the current ‘attendance crisis’. An article in Schools Week discussed how the Department for Education (DfE) said interventions for severe absence “is something that builds over time”, and “turning it around isn’t going to happen overnight”.’ We couldn’t agree more. One of the most effective ways to improve attendance is by providing students with the right provision for their individual needs – something that proved life-changing for Ewan.

Ewan joined Progress Schools during Year 9, after having significant problems in his mainstream school. During this time, he struggled to feel settled and this often showed through disruptive behaviour, frequent truancy, and difficulties building positive relationships with adults. As these challenges continued, Ewan became increasingly disengaged from education, and his attendance dropped to an all-time low of just 14.9%.

From the outset, Ewan responded positively to the smaller class sizes, quieter groups and more individualised support he received at Progress Schools. While change didn’t happen overnight, and there were inevitable bumps along the way, this was all part of the learning process. Ewan’s main hurdle was managing his emotions. He’d often become very angry and verbally aggressive when challenged, causing him to close off from the adults who were trying to help him.

Through consistent 1:1 sessions, the team were able to build that trust and relationship with Ewan. This connection gave him the safety net he needed to open up and share some of his worries, which had a significant positive impact on his mental health and overall engagement.

This support soon extended beyond the classroom and into Ewan’s home life. The team sought out support from Early Help, a government-backed service supporting young people and families with wellbeing and early conversations to prevent issues reaching crisis point. This support enabled his family to feel involved and empowered in encouraging Ewan’s attendance. This united approach played a key role in sustaining his progress.

As Ewan began tackling challenges rather than fighting against them, his engagement across subjects improved. Developing his reading skills helped him express himself more effectively, leading to less angry outbursts from frustration and a noticeable improvement in behaviour.

Ewan stayed on at Progress Schools Gorton up to Year 11, when he sat his GCSEs. Thanks to the individualised support he received, helping to remove barriers, Ewan’s attendance skyrocketed from the 14.9% all the way to an incredible 80%. Ewan’s hard work put him firmly on track to achieve positive GCSE outcomes. With an incredible 65% increase in his attendance since joining Progress Schools, Ewan’s journey demonstrates how education should and can be accessible to all, it’s just about finding the right environment and support for each individual.

Ewan’s teacher, Sanya, shared how proud the team were of his journey, “We are all so proud of his hard work and determination. Despite the many challenges that he has faced, he has shown great resilience and strength.”

Looking ahead, the future became far brighter for Ewan as he had already secured a place at The Manchester College (TMC) for September 2025, significantly boosting his confidence and outlook. Progress Schools’ strong careers provision helped Ewan develop a clearer vision for his future. Previously, he held a fatalistic view, feeling overwhelmed by the idea of choosing one career path for life. Through conversations with his Progress Careers adviser, Ewan came to understand that many career pathways allow for flexibility, progression, and change. Realising he wasn’t limited by one decision gave him the confidence to move forward. Ewan successfully progressed to TMC at the start of the 2025/26 academic year and is now studying Business.

Head of School, Emma Kanis, reflected on Ewan’s time at Progress Schools, “Ewan is such a lovely young man with a great sense of humour. It really was a joy to see the transformation in him. Sometimes it is just being in the right environment that can make all the difference. Keeping a light shining on the future helps to motivate students in the present. We are so proud of him and happy that we have helped to support him and made him feel safe enough to thrive.”.

From barely attending school to now being on track to complete his first year at college, Ewan’s transformation is nothing but extraordinary. This could not have been achieved without the dedication and support from each of the staff at Progress Schools Gorton. Who not only brought Ewan back to education but created an environment that worked for him and supported him, allowing for the issues with behaviour to dissipate and his attendance to improve. Ultimately, however, this success belongs to Ewan himself who put in the work to shape a future for himself. A future he didn’t see before attending Progress Schools. We wish Ewan all the best for his next steps, wherever they may lead.

(For confidentiality purposes, student names have been changed.)