They’re talking about us…

Michael Gove, MP, and Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families

 “Skill Force is a fantastic social enterprise which takes trained personnel from the armed forces and deploys them in schools. They teach self-discipline, team work and respect for others. The results are stunning - adolescents who were going off the rails are now going on to further education.”

Swimming sensation Rebecca Adlington fully backs the work of Skill Force, particularly in her homeland of  Mansfield and Ashfield. The double gold medal winner from this year’s Beijing Olympics states:

“Growing up in Mansfield  I know how grateful kids are for being given the attention and second chances offered by Skill Force. I am lucky to have the backing of my family to support me to succeed but not everyone is given that opportunity and Skill Force aims to rectify that by nurturing the sometimes hidden talents of young people. I would have loved the chance to gain qualifications such as the Young & Senior Lifesaver and Duke of Edinburgh Awards whilst I was still at school. With the 2012 Olympics being hosted by Great Britain, Skill Force is assisting students nationwide to realise their dreams and believe in themselves.”

 John Trodden, Quality Improvement Officer, Moray Council.

“Skill Force have been working in partnership with The Moray Council since 2005. The team leader and instructors are working in all of our secondary schools which is a unique situation in Scotland. We are very pleased with the input from the Skill Force staff who have become an essential part of the staff in each of our 8 secondary schools. In terms of meeting the needs of our pupils, opportunities are provided to encourage pupils to engage in a range of activities designed to improve their ability to work with others, to solve problems and become more self sufficient. The less formal approach is ideal for those pupils who enjoy vocational or practical subjects and it is also successful in motivating academically gifted pupils. We are delighted by Prince William` s involvement which, we are sure, will give Skill Force a higher profile nationally.”

Evan Cameron DHT, Forres Academy.

“Skill Force has had a measurable impact on the life and employability skills of a number of challenging pupils, who left school for full-time jobs or have stayed on in school.  They have also provided intensive 1:1 or small group support for a number of pupils who have significant social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.  These pupils are now able to sustain either a full or partial mainstream curriculum, which was not on the agenda prior to the involvement of Skill Force.”

David Bell, Permanent Secretary, Department for Education & Skills.
"Skill Force is a superb initiative that is being used to motivate and inspire young people up and down the country. It can be used flexibly with different groups, but it has proved to be most effective as part of a wider educational programme. So, from disaffected youngsters to the gifted and talented, Skill Force’s combination of challenging activities and expert staff is proving to be a real winner. I would recommend it to any school keen to broaden what it offers to its pupils”.
 
Jennifer Jones, Teacher, Holte School, Lozells, Birmingham
“All of my Skill Force kids got A’s & B’s – they were predicted (before Skill Force) to get E’s & F’s. I believe this is all down to Skill Force. It’s changed their character from caring about nothing, including themselves to wanting to achieve”.
 
Iris Taylor – Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teaching Assistant
“Skill Force is brilliant. Because of how the instructors teach the kids don’t realise they are working. The subjects are put across in such a practical and fun way that they don’t see it as work. I, along with colleagues, thought my group would have difficulty accessing the work in Skill Force – but we’ve been proved wrong – which is very, very good! I only wish we could have started this a lot earlier for these kids”.
 
The Institute of Education, University of London (Independent Audit)
“Skill Force is an extremely well managed programme which provides a unique service to schools. It has been successful in meeting the needs of many disaffected students, improving their motivation, confidence, communication and social skills. It has reduced exclusions, improved behaviour, attendance, attitudes toward education and attainment and has also provided students with a range of practical vocational qualifications. It also offers excellent value for money”.
 
Parent
“Skill Force has helped my daughter improve her attitude, and her work in school; her attitude towards school is a lot better as well. When Skill Force just started up Amanda did nothing but talk about it. She says she gets on very well with the Instructors and she enjoys it a lot”.
 
Mr Willie Galbraith – Head Teacher, Rosehall High School, Coatbridge
“Skill Force provides opportunities for young adults to develop appropriate life skills – team working, self-reliance – through activities that are not easily duplicated in secondary schools. Skill Force Instructors, coming from a Service background, have a different relationship with youngsters (compared with Teachers) and have access to a wide range of resources outwith school. They complement the work done by school staff. Tasks are very focused towards personal achievement and have a strong outward bound or environmental flavour. Most pupils involved in the programme demonstrate improvement in attendance, behaviour and outlook that, in some cases, directly enhances their attitude to learning in curricular subjects”.
 
Deputy Head, Moray Secondary School
"Skill Force is not only providing training and qualifications, it is delivering real life skills to students who undoubtedly, in my opinion, would have at least been short term excluded by now".
 
Senior Management Team Member, Moray Secondary School
"As part of our initiative to invest short term for a long term saving, we have employed Skill Force to work with two of our High Tariff Students on an out of school programme. Skill Force can create relationships  with its students that are essential to their social and academic development. The alternative to this approach is that these students would be on Out of Area Placements at a cost to the taxpayer in the hundreds of thousands".