Andrew joined Harmonize in July 2010; previous to joining Harmonize, Andrew was in full time education in a mainstream school. Andrew’s Dyslexia made studying hard and, as a result, he was excluded from school.

After being out of education for 2 years, Andrew was contacted by Harmonize and invited to try the course, initially on an excursion to the Liverpool Docks. After the excursion, he enrolled.

Andrew is a fantastic student; due to the smaller class sizes we are able to give him the attention he needs. Andrew is a very creative student and Harmonize suits him as the education is based in urban arts, such as dj-ing and rapping.

Andrew is now on target to achieve his qualifications with Harmonize, including L2 Performance Skills, L2 Music Technology, L2s in English and Maths (these are equivalent to A-C at GCSE), L1 in Interpersonal Skills, L1 in Personal Effectiveness and L1 in Employability.

Andrew says:

“Before I came to Harmonize I got kicked out of my old school because my dyslexia made it hard for me; I couldn’t read or spell very well and I just got annoyed.

I like Harmonize because it does performing arts and you get 4 GCSEs out of it. I never thought I would get my GCSEs. I like dance here, the Djing course and I like art. I want to get my Maths and English GCSE; I think that’s the most important thing.

The staff at Harmonize have got me to calm down; I used to be proper angry – I used to punch walls and I used to throw fits, people used to wind me up. If I hadn’t come to Harmonize I reckon I would have ended up on the dole, but now I am going get a good job – I want to be a DJ”.