St Edmunds Society was established in 1965 originally as an accommodation project for the young homeless. However, in 2004 we began considering how preventative work for the less able could act as a means of providing opportunities that had passed them by, leading to the opening of a collaborative vocational learning hub in 2012, providing an alternative learning environment for young people with few or no qualifications and experiencing or having experienced, problems in life and the traditional education system. We provide them opportunities to enter the fields of Construction, Transport Maintenance, Catering & Hospitality and Hair & Beauty all formally accredited by City and Guilds, IMI or VCTC. We also offer functional skills and GCSE’s in English and Maths for those capable of achieving them, supported by suitably qualified teachers and instructors.

Many of the problems these young people face arise from their vulnerability and issues that have experienced in their lives. We have an excellent Welfare support programme overseen by qualified social workers which enables us to work closely with the young person, their families or carers to understand and overcome the barriers to learning which have hampered their progress previously and our results to date have been impressive.

In 2018 we also launched an Outreach Support programme, working in direct partnership with schools, students, and parents in an attempt to prevent or reduce exclusions. This includes 1:1 support with some students seeing their school week split between academic subjects and vocational training in an Alternative provision environment providing a more tailored approach to individual needs rather than the general “one size fits all”.
At St-Eds, we pride ourselves on offering a diverse range of training courses for students at both pre-16 and post-16. We never give up on anybody and this has become our mantra. Whether you are a young person looking for training, a parent/carer or guardian, a referral agency or an IAG professional looking to place students, we look forward to welcoming you to St Edmunds Society.

We try always to support those in need of our services and as many disadvantaged and vulnerable young people aged 14-24 in the local community as we can. St Eds is an independent charity and receives no direct statutory funding whatsoever relying on generation of its own funds and the support of charitable trusts, benefactors and the public at large.

Comments:

Leon – Student

St-Eds has given me what primary and high school has not. I feel St-Eds understands my needs and it makes me want to be at school.

Sophie Tomkins – Trainee

I came to St-Eds in 2013. The staff helped me to overcome anxiety and expanded my knowledge within the construction industry.

Jess Davies – Apprentice

During my time at St-Eds, I have learned a wealth of experience and skills from my tutors that I can take with me into the working world.

Mr Paul Collin – Headteacher – City Academy Norwich

‘City Academy Norwich have worked closely with St Edmonds Society for some time now. More recently we have engaged in a partnership with pastoral support. This has had a focus on improving Attendance, and the most hard to reach student and families. St Eds have been key in adding capacity and support to this area of the Academy and I would highly recommend the team to any organisation which is looking to add capacity and expertise to their organisation.’

Mr David Thomas – Headteacher – Inspiration Trust

“I’ve been blown away by the passion and commitment of the staff involved with the St Eds outreach service. They have thrown themselves into working alongside my school staff with some of the most difficult to reach young people. By helping these young people get back into education there is no doubt that they change lives”

Jayne - Parent

“I would like to say a massive thankyou to St Ed’s for everything they have done for my son who has autism, they have helped him achieve the unachievable, and have helped him deal with a lot of issues, the staff are amazing, and have supported him, and me and I will be forever grateful, any young adult that gets the opportunity is very lucky, thank you”

David – Parent

“St Eds has been really supportive to my son. All the staff have been truly great through a really difficult time in our lives and I wanted to share a sincere thanks for this. He is now going in the right direction with the support of all the brilliant staff.”

Comments and quotes are with the kind permission of St Edmunds Society