A makeshift portable annexe tucked away in a far corner of the playground at Nottingham Academy’s Wells campus is the unlikely setting for a pioneering educational facility which is transforming the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable young people.
Nottingham Education Sanctuary Team (NEST) is a UK-first classroom providing access to full time study mainly for “unaccompanied" asylum-seeking children - young refugees from around the globe who have fled conflict and persecution to seek a better future.
Launched in September 2018 with just two students, by July this year, the number had increased to 16 young people aged from 16-19 years.
And as of October this year, there were 25 eager students, many of whom have made remarkable progress in the short amount of time the facility has been open.
There’s a team of five staff in place at present comprising experienced teachers with skills in English as a foreign language, refugee education and counselling.
Students come from a range of countries, including Kurdistan, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Syria, Afghanistan and The Gambia.
NEST was set up via funding from the Department for Education for an initial period of two years, with an advisory group made up of Social Services, CAMHS, the University of Nottingham’s School of Education, Nottingham and Notts Refugee Forum and host school Nottingham Academy.
Jane Daffe, NEST manager said the main aim was to expand the horizons of its students.
“A lot of the young people studying here were isolated and vulnerable before they came to us,” she added. “ We need to help them rebuild their lives.
“Many have had no access to education at all, some are non literate in their own language. The progress they have all made so far has been phenomenal. They have done so well and have ended up taking exams and getting qualifications.
“It’s also a good mix of girls in the group - we have seven at the moment and we want that trend to continue.”
Amongst the girls is Fatima Tuama Sultan, 17, originally from Iraq.
She has been in Britain for eight months and is now living with her mum, three brothers and two sisters - getting two buses to and from NEST each day.
Fatima, who loves listening to music and is now a big fan of Adele, speaks amazing English to say she has only lived here a matter of months.
She explained: “I started at NEST after Easter in April. It is brilliant, because of the teachers and it’s a safe place and gives me fantastic education.
“I love all the lessons. I like drama and maths and science, everything. I would like to be a teacher and I definitely want to stay in Nottingham. My family really love it here, we feel like we’re from England, we don’t feel like visitors at all.”
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
Other students are equally enthusiastic about their studies.
Gulistan Mohammed, 18, originally from Syria arrived at NEST in April. Currently living with her mum and brother in Carlton, she said: “I want to learn everything, not just about English and maths, but everything.
“Like today we have done Christmas decorations and I never heard of this before. I like to learn about it all.”
Ameer Suliman, 17, who is living in Radford with support workers, came to Nottingham from Iraq ten months ago.
He said: “It’s a nice school, I like everything we do, especially sports. I want to join a basketball team soon and I like to play games on my phone and watch Netflix.”
And Feven Gide, 17, originally from Eritrea in Eastern Africa, has been in Britain a year. She’s now living with a sister and uncle near the city centre.
She said: “It's great to come to NEST so that I can get some friends and feel welcome. I love all the teachers and the students so much.”
Teacher Edward Cornwall said he loved how eager the young people in his care have been about their studies.
A former English teacher, he explained that alongside the official side of his job, there was a big emphasis on students’ holistic needs.
“Their emotional welfare is very important,” Edward added. “We’re trying to provide a therapeutic environment as well as a learning environment.
“I really enjoy the role because the students are very eager to learn. You don’t have that barrier where sometimes young people are disengaged. So already, you know these students are listening and their behaviour is good.
“It’s very rewarding because first you see their progress learning a language and then you also see their progress as people. Often when they arrive, they’re very down and there’s an element of trauma to deal with.
“After a certain amount of time, you see them blossom as people.”
The full list of winners at the Nottinghamshire Live Education Awards 2019 is as follows:
Beating the Odds Award
Winner: Arshad Ali Mohammed (Nottingham Education Sanctuary Team).
Runners up: Mariam Taj (Nottingham Girls’ Academy), Lina Mahmood (Bluecoat Wollaton Academy).
Most Improved Student
Winner: Declan Mills (West Nottinghamshire College).
Runners up: Shannan Mullings (Nottingham Girls’ Academy), Macy Swan (West Nottinghamshire College).
Arts and Humanities Award
Winner: Vina Mohammed (Nottingham Emmanuel School).
Runners up: Ethan Allsopp (Stone Soup Academy), Nidaa Raoff (Nottingham Academy Greenwood Campus).
Community Champion
Winner: YOPEY Scheme (Rushcliffe School).
Runners up: Steve Mathers (The Carlton Academy), Julie Francis (Alderman White School).
Creative Excellence Award
Winner: Montana Thornhill (Nottingham University Samworth Academy).
Runners up: Chloe Dring (Colonel Frank Seely Academy), Sophia Murphy (Bilborough College).
Keep it Green Award
Winner: Nathaniel McLaughlin (Nottingham Academy Greenwood Campus).
Runners up: WE Act Social Action Group (National Church of England Academy), Elie Simpson (Nottingham Emmanuel School).
Science and Engineering Award
Winner: Beth Bull (Stone Soup Academy).
Runners up: Aleyna Gence (Nottingham Academy Greenwood Campus), Elliot Asamoah (Nottingham Emmanuel School).
Sporting Excellence Award
Winner: Shaniya Rose-McDonald (Nottingham Academy Greenwood Campus).
Runners up: Oskar Gasperski (Bluecoat Academy Sixth Form), Daisy Overton (The Brunts Academy).
Support Staff of the Year Award
Winner: Oliver Sillito (Stone Soup Academy).
Runners up: Dominic Cox (Nottingham Academy Wells Campus), Danni Harper (Nottingham Girls’ Academy).
Inspirational Teacher of the Year Award
Winner: James Crabtree (The Fernwood School).
Runners up: James Littlehales (Confetti Institute), Kim Davies (Chilwell School).
Headteacher of the Year Award
Winner: Jenny Brown (Nottingham Free School).
Runners up: David Tungate (Nottingham Girls’ Academy), Heidi Gale (Bramcote College).
Editor’s Award
Winner: Nottingham Education Sanctuary Team (NEST).
Student of the Year Award:
Winner: Luciana Stoian (Bluecoat Beechdale Academy).
