Philip Davies has praised the work of a project aimed at helping some of the district’s most at risk or disadvantaged children.
The Joint Activities and Motor Education Service, known as JAMES, based at the Eric Gibbs Centre, Frizinghall Road, Bradford, invited the Shipley MP to look around and speak to students about their experiences.
The project has worked with “at risk” young people and their families across the district for more than 30 years. It provides a range of support including alternative education, volunteering, and traineeships in skills such as sports, art, environmental work, and mechanics.
Mr Davies said: “The work done with the students at JAMES is fantastic and you can tell from chatting to the young people how much they enjoy it and are engaged. It is great we have such excellent alternative provision to mainstream education, which is not suited to child. It is vital projects like exist because it nurtures our young people and gives them the skills they need to get on in life. It was a privilege to be asked to visit and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there leaning about what was on offer.”
JAMES provides students with a personalised education package and experienced staff and support learners help the pupils overcome any barriers to ensure they succeed.
Included on offer at the Independent School is motor vehicle maintenance, where students work on a range of vehicles including motorbikes and vans. They also study through placements where they develop a range of skills and can specialise. There is also a marine division at the school run out of the Shipley wharf base, where students learn boat repairs, handling and other skills. Both offer formal qualifications.