When Lacey joined OA-Tunbridge Wells in Year 10, she was clear about what she wanted: to return to mainstream education. We supported that goal and worked with her to explore what the right next step could look like.
As part of this, she became the first student to trial a gradual reintegration approach, attending some days at a mainstream school alongside her education at the academy.
The experience gave her the opportunity to see how she felt in a different environment while maintaining the relationships and support she had built at OA-Tunbridge Wells. After several months, however, she reached an important realisation: she was happier and more comfortable with us.
Rather than seeing this as a setback, the team supported her to recognise that success looks different for every young person. For Lacey, feeling settled, understood and confident in her learning environment was helping her make far greater progress.
With a personalised programme of support around her, including one-to-one support from two trusted members of staff and a trauma and bereavement plan, she continued to develop both personally and academically.
That stability had a significant impact on her learning. Having joined in Year 10, she went on to become one of the academy's highest-achieving students, making exceptional progress and achieving 5 GCSEs and 3 BTECs.
By creating an environment where she felt safe, comfortable and able to build trusting relationships with staff, we were able to support her to focus on her learning and recognise what she could achieve.
The support also focused on preparing Lacey for life beyond OA-Tunbridge Wells. Alongside her academic progress, staff worked with her to explore her aspirations and plan for her next steps after Year 11.
Lacey has now left OA-Tunbridge Wells, taking with her the qualifications, confidence and experience she has gained during her time at the academy.
"I am thankful for all the support the academy has given Lacey. The team is incredible and Lacey has come such a massive way from when she first arrived, not just academically however within herself - emotionally, mentally, confidently and this is a huge thanks to how the team have treated and supported Lacey as an individual, not just another number in a classroom."
Lacey's parent
Her journey is a powerful example of why personalised education matters. What began with a clear ambition to return to mainstream education ultimately became a journey of discovering where she felt most comfortable and where she could achieve her best.
At OA-Tunbridge Wells, the aim is not to fit every young person into the same pathway. It is to understand each student's individual needs, build trusting relationships and provide the right support to help them move forward with confidence.