Children's Minister sees how foundation prepares Bristol youngsters for work

Children's Minister Dawn Primarolo feared for her job when she met a teenager at Bristol's City Academy who said he wanted to be a politician.

But Ms Primarolo, Labour MP for Bristol South, did not need to worry: Ramadan Ahmed isn't bothered about a mere frontbench post – he wants to be Prime Minister.

Yet the 15-year-old is no top-of-the-class swot. Ramadan is one of the first students in a new Youth Achievement Foundation, set up at the academy for young people who could be at risk of exclusion or who may have behavioural problems.

It gives them the chance to study a range of vocational subjects so they are prepared for the world of work.

The Youth Achievement Foundation is being run by The City Academy and is offering courses in construction, engineering catering, sport and performing arts.

The foundation, the first attached to a school in the UK, is based at a new £1 million Vocational Leaning Centre opposite the academy in Russell Town Avenue.

Twelve boys are studying there and plans are under way for eight girls to join them. The centre offers core literacy and numeracy within a personalised curriculum that involves a range of qualifications, work experience and adventure challenges.

Ramadan said: "It gives us a second chance. I want to pass my English, maths, science, geography and citizenship then I want to be a politician."

Ms Primarolo, who officially opened the foundation yesterday, said it was a good investment in young people.

"They are talking about their hopes and what they want to do in the future," she said.

"They felt out of place in mainstream school. They were on the streets and they were on a route that could have taken them in a very different direction. Now they are full of determination."

Academy principal Ray Priest said: "The opening of a centre to support the teaching of vocational skills is fantastic.

"We also seek to motivate all young people and the development of the first Youth Achievement Foundation in a school in the UK is giving many of our young people the opportunity to try new challenges."