When we first met AW* at Cambian Lufton College

When AW first joined Cambian Lufton College, he had a clear interest in working with animals but needed support to build the confidence and practical skills to work towards this goal.

AW's Education and Support

Working alongside his tutor, the wider curriculum team and the on-site Careers Hub, AW was given opportunities to gain experience in the community through work placements at a local dog groomer and an animal sanctuary. These placements allowed him to put into practice what he had been learning in college while developing the day-to-day skills needed in a real working environment.

Throughout his time at college, AW has grown in confidence and independence. With support from staff, he has learned the importance of being reliable, communicating appropriately, working as part of a team and adapting to new situations. These are all skills that will continue to support him as he moves into further education and employment.

AW’s progress reflects the values that are central to Cambian Lufton College. He has been encouraged to make his own choices, treated with respect, supported to achieve his goals and given opportunities to develop both personally and academically. His programme has focused on preparing him for adulthood by helping him build the practical, social and employability skills needed beyond college.

One area where AW has made particularly strong progress is his resilience. Trying new environments and meeting new people has not always been easy, but he has shown determination by sticking with challenges, learning from each experience and becoming more confident with every placement. This has been a key part of his development and has helped him become much more prepared for his next steps.

AW's Progress

AW has now secured an interview at a mainstream animal care college, which is a fantastic achievement. This has been made possible through his own commitment, together with the support of his tutor, the wider curriculum team and the Careers Hub, who have worked together to help him reach his goal.

AW’s journey shows what can happen when a student’s interests are placed at the centre of their learning and they are given the right support, opportunities and encouragement to succeed. We are all incredibly proud of what he has achieved and look forward to seeing what he does next.