Flex – Joe
Flex – Horizons
Joe Barraclough is a shining example of pushing through adversity. Joe came to Rotherham College three years ago from a SEND School and this is his story.
“I chose Rotherham College because it has the potential for mainstream and it had more to offer than other local sixth forms and colleges. I had no confidence when I left school and had a number of social and emotional, mental health (SEMH) needs so was placed in the Flex department.
Rotherham College and the Flex department really helped me to find my feet and were so supportive. I was put on the Horizons programme which was amazing and being in Flex and the warm, supportive feel really did allow me to develop confidence both academically and personally too.
Joe“Rotherham College and the Flex department really helped me to find my feet and were so supportive.”
My favourite memory of Flex were the bonds I made with other Flex learners and the amazingly supportive staff in the team.
I continued onto the Pre-Supported Year because it allowed me to go into mainstream learning and following this decided to begin a Level 2 in Catering and Hospitality. I chose this because my job at the time was in a restaurant as back of house staff so this suited me well.
The pre-supported year gave me the knowledge and skills to develop and move into doing the Level 2 and I thrived with the support and care I was given as well as the oportunity to progress into a mainstream course and develop some core skills.
The confidence I had built up through my friends, the supportive staff and my family allowed me to interview for and become a student ambassador.
I was enjoying my time so much at Rotherham College that I wanted to become an ambassador and share that passion with potential students and support the College that had given me the opportunity to thrive. I also think that talking about the opportunities and options available at College is better coming from a student point of view and I do love talking about everything that is available to students at the College.”
I asked Joe about the new offerings and support available including the Project Based Learning (PBL) Activity and Three Year Skills and Progression Plan – both set up to support vulnerable learners who need additional support and guidance.
“Both of these new support services in the RNN Group are amazing. If the PBL had been around at the beginning I would definitely have wanted to be on it. To gain skills and confidence in a twelve week programme and then move on is amazing and the Three Year Plan will really support learners education journey as they have a bespoke programme to follow and ensure they are on track to success.”
Joe“I thrived with the support and care I was given as well as the oportunity to progress into a mainstream course and develop some core skills.”
I then asked Joe what he was up to, now he had completed three years and he said,
“I have moved onto doing a Level 4 in Sports and Coaching at Doncaster but RNN have kept me on as RES staff to support with tours and online support with potential families and students which is amazing.”
I finally asked Joe what the best piece of advice he would give to his seven year old self and a new learner to FLEX and he said,
“Don’t let yourself down until you prove yourself.
Its all about encouraging yourself to persist and push past self-doubt and external pressures to achieve your own standards and goals. This means focusing on your own growth and self-improvement rather than seeking approval or validation from others. By building resilience against failure, you can build a strong internal foundation that allows you to be true to yourself”.
