Bill was considering his options to study and wasn’t sure where to go. Having felt overwhelmed when attending interviews, he met Liz (Flare Tutor) at Clip Mablethorpe and immediately felt at ease. Bill is currently studying both Maths and English on the Flare programme and has even taken part in a poetry competition. He plans to use his studies at Clip as a stepping stone to studying sports. 

Choosing Flare

Bill looked at studying at different colleges but they just didn’t suit his needs. Some were too far away and at others he felt overwhelmed being interviewed in large halls with a panel of people. Bill’s sister found Clip at Mablethorpe and helped him the application process. Speaking about the interview process, Bill said “I went in for an interview which was much more relaxed than an interview I had been to elsewhere. It was just me and Liz, and we just chatted about the course. I felt relaxed and decided this was where I wanted to study”. Following his successful interview, Bill enrolled on the Flare programme and is currently studying both his English and Maths GCSE’s with a view to studying sport when he passes his exams. 

Personal Development

Before starting his studies at Clip Mablethorpe, Bill was a selective mute and wasn’t comfortable speaking openly. Thanks to the friendly and supportive team at Clip, Bill now regularly speaks in front of the class, helped by his participation in the Slam Jam Poetry Competition. Before taking part in this programme, Bill had never written a poem before. Fast forward a few months and he reached the semi-finals of the Slam Jam Poetry Competition and performed in front of over 100 people at Louth Riverhead Theatre. “I was nervous and originally read the wrong poem, I rectified this quickly though! It was daunting, especially the walk down to the stage but once I was up there I was fine. It was scary for a split second  waiting for a response from the audience, they then clapped and cheered but for a split second I felt the whole world was staring at me in silence. I felt great after.”

Studying at Clip  

Liz Coldicott, Lead Tutor at Clip Mablethorpe told us how the programme has benefited the participants “It has been amazing to see Bill grow as a person, a learner and a performer. We’re delighted that he chose to study with us and he’s a shining example for his fellow learners. To stand up and perform in front of over 100 strangers takes some doing, Flare is just the start of Bill’s journey, and we look forward to supporting him with his application for future studies.” 

From finding the right fit for him, to performing on stage in front of 100 people – Bill has made plenty of memories throughout his studies on the Flare programme. If you’re looking for a supportive environment to explore your passions and talents, contact info@cliplearning.com or check out Flare, our qualification specifically for 16 to 18 year olds.