Skills & Inclusion REACH Award winner Ibraheem thanks College for giving him 'confidence' and 'independence'

Ibraheem, 18, progressed on to our Level 1 Sport course this summer and is also now studying his Maths and English GCSEs, having spent the previous two years on our Pathways to Work and Independent Living course.

The Pathways course is targeted at students who may require a personalised approach to learning designed to meet their individual needs, prior to moving into Further Education.

It was an environment that Ibraheem thrived in, as he directed class plays, learned to cook, improved his written and numeracy skills and gained a reputation as the best-dressed employee during his work placement at the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet! 

He deserves immense credit for the progress he has made during his time on Campus, but Ibraheem is also quick to underline the part played in his personal development by Skills & Inclusion tutors Michelle Scott, Fliss Else and Kate Herrensmith, as well as College’s team of Learning Support Practitioners.

“Michelle, Fliss and Kate have been great support to me, as have all the LSPs,” Ibraheem pointed out. “I’ve appreciated the help from all of them.

“They helped me settle in when I first came to College and have helped me gain confidence, so I’m more independent now. I enjoy Maths more than English, but both my GCSEs are going fine now and the Pathways course has helped me become more confident in both subjects.

“I have learned a lot so I can be brave when I am answering questions in the classroom and in exams now.”

As somebody who enjoys watching and playing football, Liverpool supporter Ibraheem is also enjoying his Level 1 Sport studies.

“It’s been great improving my knowledge about sports coaching and we have talked a lot about the importance of being positive as a coach,” he said.

The aim for all Pathways students is to go on work placement once a week and Ibraheem was given a full range of tasks at the Designer Outlet that he carried out efficiently and with a smile on his face.

He delivered parcels to the individual stores and secured signatures from all the recipients, whilst also taking sales figures from senior members of the staff at the different shops and inputting them on a computer spreadsheet using Microsoft Excel.

At the Customer Services desk, meanwhile, he communicated with customers and handed out information, as well as handling money and giving out change when he sold stamps. 

On carrying out all those duties, Ibraheem enthused: “I helped customers by speaking nicely and politely to them. On the first day, I was a bit confused about what I’d be doing but, by the second day, I felt confident and I always made sure I wore a very smart suit. 

“I would give myself 10/10 for my appearance! I take pride in how I look and it gives me confidence. I like wearing aftershave, too.” 

Ibraheem impressed so much at the Designer Outlet that he was presented with a £50 voucher at the end of his placement.

He also gained further work experience at York Explore Library, which helped with his literacy and numeracy skills.

“I enjoyed stocking books and putting them in alphabetical or number order,” he explained.

Ibraheem added that class trips to the cinema to watch the film Unchartered and to Xscape in Castleford to play mini golf were highlights of his time on the Pathways course.

There is one day, however, that will always stand out as the most memorable moment of Ibraheem’s time at York College.

“I was very proud to win the REACH Award,” a beaming Ibraheem said. “My dad came on the night and was so pleased that I won.

“It was a proud moment for my family and the food was nice, too. We had the vegetarian option, which was a cauliflower steak and I ate it all. 

“I am thankful to everyone who helped plan that event and invited me to it and, when I heard Kate (Herrensmith) talking about me on the screen, I wanted to thank her for all her help. I think that she’s a legend I and will always remember the REACH Awards as being the best day.”

Kate’s words, relayed on the TV screens at the York Racecourse ceremony as Ibraheem was announced as the Skills & Inclusion REACH Award winner, were among some of the most touching and inspiring heard on what is always an uplifting evening.

Delivering her message, Kate said: “In the 14 years I’ve worked with young people with Special Educational Needs, I have never met a student as enthusiastic and dedicated to learning as Ibraheem. I have worked with him both as a Learning Support Practitioner and as a tutor and he puts 100% into everything he does.

“As a Pathways to Work and Independent Living student, he clocked up an impressive amount of time on the Century Tech learning platform outside of college hours and his confidence has grown so much during his York College journey. He has also been by far the best dressed person when attending his work experience placement at the Designer Outlet, where his appearance and work ethic both received high praise.

“With empathy and kindness, Ibraheem goes the extra mile to help out their peers and tutors and is a real credit to York College.”

To learn more about our Pathways to Work and Independent Living course, please click here

Further information on our Level 1 Pathway for Sports, Esports & Public Services Level 1 course can be found here

If you would like to meet our expert team of tutors, discuss any of our courses with them and view our facilities, then please consider our next Open Event on Tuesday 7th October (5.30pm-8pm). Register a place here