It is increasingly difficult to find small, calm, therapeutic learning environments, where students who struggle to access mainstream learning can thrive. School refusal is an anxiety related disorder which affects 1-5% of the UK population. In the UK, around 380,000 fixed term exclusions are given to children each year*. Far too many of these exclusions involve students with additional needs or attachment issues.
Whilst the triggers vary hugely, the result is that a growing number of students simply cannot cope with the pressures of a mainstream school.
Often these students are very bright and have huge potential. The tragic reality is that children who do not have access to a consistent and regular education programme invariably fail to achieve their potential and their future life chances are severely harmed. Just 1% of these students achieve five good GCSEs including English and Maths. LVLC works with children at risk of exclusion, school refusers, those with attachment issues and those with ASD. Put simply, we exist to change young peoples’ lives through caring education. Our first centre opened in Whitnash (Leamington Spa) in September 2014 and we now have 4 centres across Leamington and Rugby.