Atomix expands ‘life changing’ programme

An education trust is expanding adult learning into schools and community settings following growing demand for its courses.

Teesside-based Atomix Educational Trust has teamed up with Steel River Education Trust to provide Level 2 qualifications to parents at Whale Hill Primary School in Eston.

The initiative is being led by Atomix adult education manager Michelle Kelso, who is focused on widening access to learning and qualifications across local communities.

Michelle, who has 18 years’ experience working in education, said: “It doesn’t matter how old you are or what qualifications you already have – it doesn’t even matter if you have left school with no qualifications – the access to adult education that we provide at Atomix can be life changing.

“One woman who has just finished two Level 2 courses with us summed it up when she said she felt so proud of her achievements and how it had made such a difference to her life.

“She had just got divorced and said it was time to focus on herself by getting new skills and qualifications that could help her to get a job – it’s stories like hers that make my job so rewarding.”

Michelle developed the idea after attending the Redcar Literacy Summit, which highlighted that one in five adults in Redcar and Cleveland has no formal education or qualifications.

After being introduced to Whale Hill deputy head Paul Forster, Michelle hosted a coffee afternoon at the school to explore interest in adult learning.

Twelve parents attended and enrolled on a Level 2 Understanding Autism course, beginning their studies just four days later.

All 12 completed the programme before progressing to a second Level 2 qualification in Understanding Behaviours That Challenge.

Michelle added: “By early July, this group of 12 had two courses under their belts.

“We have also supported six learners at Caedmon Primary School, which is also part of the Steel River Trust.”

Atomix has also provided more suitable furniture for the adult learners and refurbished a classroom at Whale Hill dedicated to adult education.

Michelle added: “We now have an adult education classroom that is fit for purpose.

“We also have some books on shelves, plants and posters to make it a more welcoming space.”

Redcar and Cleveland MP Anna Turley recently visited Whale Hill to see the initiative in action.

Michelle added: “Anna Turley came and we had a photograph with all the learners getting their certificates – she thought it was absolutely brilliant and said she was going to put me in contact with a lot more schools.”

The trust, which runs Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough and Stockton Sixth Form College, is now looking to extend the model to other primary schools and community settings across Redcar and Cleveland and potentially further afield.

It is already delivering adult education at two schools in Stockton and has worked with Morgan’s House Veterans’ Centre in Boosbeck on another programme.

Michelle added: “We are transforming people’s lives by giving them the time and the commitment in their own communities.

“We see people who have been out of work for a long time getting back their motivation and growing in confidence and making positive changes to their lives – without ever having to step foot in a college if they don’t want to, as that can be really daunting.

“I’ve seen some of the adults we work with go on to study to be paramedics, nurses or midwives, which is a wonderful feeling.

“At Atomix, we are taking a different approach to adult education by enabling people to learn within their communities – and the response to that has been really positive.”

Dr Nichole Munro, chief executive of Atomix Educational Trust, said: “What Michelle is doing within the communities that we serve at Atomix is truly inspirational.

“Empowering local people through education, improving their confidence and helping them to achieve, whatever their previous academic background, is something that makes the whole community stronger and helps raise aspirations for generations to come.

“I am looking forward to seeing where Michelle and her team take our adult education offering next, as Atomix is committed to providing a wider programme of education to more people within different settings, in a bid to make education accessible for all.”

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