At Bath Rugby Foundation (BRF), we believe every student deserves the opportunity to thrive, even when the odds feel stacked against them. Our Alternative Learning Manager, Jonno Wood, recently reflected on the challenges faced by young people in the educational system and how BRF works tirelessly to support them and their families to evolve and grow.

“I’m astonished by the power of having one voice for our students,” Jonno said. “When students are under pressure, they so often seek the crack in the system to avoid their fear because it is scary to change our behaviours.”

For many young people, the educational system can feel overwhelming, and avoidance becomes a natural defence mechanism. At BRF, we tackle this head-on by fostering open, consistent communication between students, parents, and schools.

“We’re on the phone to parents and schools every day to share ideas, get to the bottom of our students’ challenges, and actually make meaningful change in every setting that they attend,” Jonno explained.

This daily collaboration ensures that students feel heard and supported, helping them build the confidence to confront their fears and embrace new challenges.

“By doing that, we show them they’re listened to, and that builds a sense of safety so they will start trying the things they failed at before,” Jonno shared.

At BRF, we’re committed to continually improving our communication across the board to ensure the best outcomes for our students. By working closely with families, schools, and the wider community, we aim to create a network of support that enables young people to overcome obstacles and achieve their potential.

Jonno emphasised the importance of collaboration and welcomed ideas from others: “Let us know how you’re doing this, because we’re really interested to get more ideas.”

If you’re inspired by our work or have innovative strategies to share, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can continue making a meaningful difference for the students who need us most.

For more information about our Alternative Learning Hub and how we support young people, please visit [insert website link here].