Daniel’s story

Daniel took part in CoacHE, a partnership programme between the University of Sheffield and Grit. CoacHE aimed to increase the number of white working class boys from deprived areas of South Yorkshire applying to university.

I wasn’t enjoying school very much. I didn’t have much confidence so I didn’t talk to many people, in class or generally at school. I wasn’t really that bothered about school work either – I hardly did any homework. I thought that university was just a different sort of school so it was never in my mind. I didn’t really consider it as something for me.

The ice-breaker was a highlight of the programme for me. There were loads of people I didn’t know but, one by one, we each stood up and talked about ourselves. Some talked about how they struggle in school, how they don’t have any confidence. Some talked about how they don’t have a dad to talk to. As I listened to more people I kept thinking, “that’s me!” I realised that I’m not the only one and that’s helping a lot. I’m not alone

It was difficult to stand up and talk myself. I felt embarrassed. But I didn’t want to feel left out so I did it. And it really boosted my confidence. So now I don’t find it so difficult to talk to people – people in class, in school, in my sledge hockey sessions. Actually, I’d been a bit stuck with my sledge hockey – I couldn’t get past Level 3. But then I got this new confidence and now I’m not stuck any more. I passed Level 3!

Before the programme GCSEs weren’t much of a deal as far as I was concerned. But then I realised that if I want to get a good job with good pay this means I need to go to college or sixth form. If you go to college there are more jobs you can get. There are different sorts of jobs you can get. Now GCSEs are much more of a deal. And I’m doing much more of my homework.

A lot of the final Grit session was on planning for your life and getting a good job. It helped me think about the future. When I heard other people talking about what they wanted to do it gave me new ideas about what I could do. It got me thinking about opportunities I could look for. I’d never done that before.

I still don’t want to go to university but when the *Student Ambassadors described it I could see how it would be good, especially when they talked about the job opportunities it could lead to. So, at the moment I am making the choice not to go but, let me tell you, I’ve not ruled it out forever.

*Current University of Sheffield students supporting the programme and engaging with the young people participating