Following the success of last year’s project, Sefton Virtual School have once again teamed up with Hugh Baird College to provide a summer school for unaccompanied asylum seeker children to support them into education and life in the UK. 

Huge Success

The programme is aimed at improving participants’ English language skills and setting them up for success in education, post-16 and helping them find a passion to pursue at college. The young people on the programme were given the opportunity to enjoy a variety of enrichment days and cultural activities to help them to settle into their new home. They visited museums and libraries in Liverpool, went on the ferry and visited the Iron Men on Crosby beach.

Diverse and Talented

The young people on the programme represented the most diverse cohort yet with home countries including Vietnam, Albania, Afghanistan, Sudan and Iran and arriving with a whole host of experiences and skills to share; one young person already speaking seven languages!

Daisy from Vietnam said of the programme:

“I loved the chance to visit Liverpool libraries and go on the trips with everyone else. My favourite thing about the programme was the teachers who were really kind. I am excited to start at Southport College in September where I will be studying Cooking, English and Maths.”

Nhail from Sudan said:

“I enjoyed it a lot, my favourite part was playing football with the others and playing some video games with other people on the programme, I have made some great friends. After spending time at Hugh Baird, I have applied to stay here to study English, Engineering Science and Computer Skills.”

The programme gave young people a warm, supportive atmosphere to learn and grow after a tumultuous period of their lives, as well as space to make connections with other young people and a peer group to move on with and sustain in full time post-16 learning. Most students finished the programme and in fact, students from last years cohort wanted to come back again this year after finding it a really great way to meet new people and get support in education. 

Achieving Their Potential

This initiative was the latest project to come out of the Sefton Virtual School, who aim to ensure that all cared for children, whatever their starting point, have access to an education that will support them to fulfil their aspirations and achieve their potential.

Charlie Smith, Sefton Virtual School Officer said:

“It has been a pleasure to start work with these young people. Some of whom were only in the Borough for a matter of days, before starting straight onto the Summer School which must have been daunting for them.

“However, to see them at the end, having made friends, having improved their confidence and prepared for their next steps in education was a fantastic sight, well done Hugh Baird College and well done to the students!”

Cllr Diane Roscoe, Cabinet Member for Education said:

“It is fantastic to see the Council and Hugh Baird College come together to curate a bespoke summer programme for this cohort of children who really need that educational support and peer group. These children have come here, often with little support or family connections and to achieve what they have in terms of their confidence and their next steps is so inspiring.

“All of the young people on the programme are attending college from September and are studying such a wide variety of courses. I can’t wait to see what they do next and I am proud of them.”   

Rachael Hennigan, Principal and Chief Executive at Hugh Baird College said:

"We at Hugh Baird College are extremely proud of the accomplishments of our summer school participants.

Witnessing their involvement in enriching activities, developing friendships, and seeing them ready to embark on their post-16 learning journeys has been immensely rewarding. This collaboration with Sefton Council Virtual School demonstrates our shared values and commitment to ensuring accessible, quality education for all. We look forward to welcoming many of these students back in September for their full-time studies."