Sebastian’s story

Age 16

Sebastian faced significant challenges both in and out of school. Like many young people navigating complex home and social environments, he struggled with attendance, engagement, and motivation. On top of these challenges, Sebastian had difficulty managing his anger, which often impacted his behaviour in class and affected his relationships with teachers and peers.

Without positive guidance or coping strategies, his predicted grades of Cs and Ds reflected the barriers he faced. Sebastian didn’t see a clear path forward and lacked confidence in his ability to achieve his ambitions or consider a career beyond school.

Everything began to change when Sebastian was introduced to Dan, a Youth Mentor from Sport 4 Life, through the school mentoring programme at their Oldbury Academy. Over a series of one-to-one sessions, Sebastian received targeted support not just academically, but emotionally and socially.

Mentoring focused on the issues that had held him back: managing anger, reducing truancy, building coping mechanisms, and improving behaviour in school. Through consistent guidance, Sebastian began to develop the tools to manage challenges, rebuild relationships, and see potential in his own future.

Through Sport 4 Life’s tailored mentoring support, Sebastion:

  • Developed strategies to manage anger and respond constructively in challenging situations.
  • Improved attendance and engagement in lessons.
  • Built confidence in his abilities and explored future career options.

This support helped him regain control of both his behaviour and his approach to learning, giving him the foundation to achieve academically and personally.

The Impact

By the end of Year 11, Sebastian had made remarkable progress. His predicted Cs and Ds turned into Cs and Bs, giving him the qualifications needed to move on to the next stage of his education.

Equally important, Sebastian’s confidence in his future has grown. He now has a clear career direction and has secured a mechanical engineering apprenticeship, something he previously thought was beyond his reach.

Sebastian is proud of the progress he has made and reflects on his journey as a testament to the power of timely intervention and mentoring. His story illustrates how targeted support within schools can help young people overcome personal challenges, improve outcomes, and set them on a positive path for their future.