Academy 'changed my life', says transformed teen

A 15-year-old girl previously kicked out of mainstream school but now pursuing her dream of becoming a plumber at a skills academy said it has "changed her life".

Sienna, who is the only female construction student at Blackpool Skills Academy, said the industry was "not just for boys".

Formed in 2022, the academy teaches new skills to children aged between 11 and 16 who have struggled with their behaviour in other education settings.

For Sienna, it was a "lucky" experience to tackle bricklaying, joinery, plastering and now plumbing.

"I didn't expect this, I thought I was going to end up staying in behaviour school but I am very lucky I got a place in here and I am glad I came, it has changed me a lot," she said.

"I get along with the lads and I thought I was not going to be good at it [construction], but I am."

The academy, which also offers students skills in hair, beauty and personal development, is aiming to break down stereotypes.

Andy Iredale, one of the founders of the academy, said: "We have seen the national target, 1.5m homes need building over the life of this parliament.

"At present only 15% of the construction workforce are female so it is an industry that is missing out on 50% of the population.

"So we are just helping change some of those stereotypes and perceptions in young women."

Some students who had previously been kicked out of other schools as many as 10 times were now being given the chance to thrive due to the academy's different approach.

David Hodge, one of the academy founders, said it was rewarding to see students succeed despite it being "a tough gig at times".

He said: "We've got children that have been out of education for three years that now don't miss a beat with us, and it's not because we are doing anything particularly special, we just do something different than what the schools do.

"We've got students that turn up here on days that they shouldn't be here, they'll still come in, and that tells me everything because they want to be here."