Case Study
FROM E2E TO NVQ LEVEL 3
Name: Scott Porter
Scott came to Access Training via an unusual route and somewhat older than
the majority of learners at 18.
He left Fairham Comprehensive School after an unhappy time. He had been
labelled a trouble maker from Year 7 often getting into fights as result of taunts he received about his weight.
He became increasingly angry and frustrated as he felt no-one was doing anything about the verbal bullying he was
subjected to. His temper snapped and a pattern of exclusion developed.
By Year 8, a major leg operation kept him off school for several months
and during this time he put on even more weight and so the pattern of taunts, anger, swearing and exclusions
continued. He started to bunk off school to avoid those teachers he had problems with and who he felt were not
treating him fairly.
This pattern continued and by the time he left school he had been banned from all school trips and
was not allowed to do work experience.
With a few F and G grades at GCSE he enrolled at South Notts College on a
BTEC 1st Diploma in Print and Design Level 2. Although he says he enjoyed this, he was not allowed to
continue to the second year because of his poor literacy levels and he was then unable to find a job in printing.
After a couple of months out of work, he eventually got a job at Pork Farms
through an agency. For four months he was, according to him, "a general dogs-body", helping in the factory on the
production line. Unfortunately though, when the bakery side was sold off, his position was terminated.
From here he went to the Job Centre and Connexions and after several
interviews, chose to come to Access. He made his choice based on the ease of access and the fact that Daljt Bruce,
our E2E Team Leader, made him feel so comfortable and welcome.
He started on the E2E course but soon found that his family background where he is the oldest of 6, meant that
he was naturally drawn to working with young children so progressed on to the Child Care Level 1 course. This included
a 2 day per week placement at Busy Bees Nursery which he loved, feeling particularly chuffed when the children called him
"Dad"!
Three year later he is still at Busy Bees in Clifton but is now permanently employed and the proud holder of an NVQ
Level 3 in Children’s Care Learning and Development. He still loves his work and reported, "I work with the babies
so I am there for their first step, their first word, first tooth, first giggle" and they are still calling him Dad.
According to Scott, his time at Access Training has "given me a new perspective on life" and a reason to get out
of bed in the morning. He liked the structure, the extra help he received and the fact that in his words "the teachers
explain better here". He has particular praise for his TA, Helen Bentley, who he has found really supportive. "The amount
of help I’ve had has been fantastic. Access sent me for a dyslexia test which they paid for and then put in extra support".
A combination of that help, the lap top we provided, help from nursery staff and texting his girl friend helped Scott
achieve his qualification.
He would like to progress to Level 4 but is concerned that he will not be able to afford university. His long
term ambition is to become a Social Worker.
He has just been nominated for our Learner of the Year Award and we wish him luck.
May 2010
