TEENAGERS who have become disengaged from education have been urged to sign up at a new centre in Bournemouth.

The Bournemouth and Poole Youth Achievement Foundation offers help to 16 to 19-year-olds who are unemployed and out of education and training.

Aimed mainly at homeless or looked-after young people, it offers traditional GCSEs and BTEC courses alongside activities such as BMX, football, art, music production and snowboarding.

The foundation operates from the Fusion Centre in Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, and is run by national charity ukyouth. The same organisation runs a school for 13 to 16-year-olds who are disengaged or excluded from mainstream education at Avon Tyrrell.

The school is funded by the Department for Education but must become self-funding by next year.

Abbie Ronald, 15, left mainstream education two years ago due to behaviour problems and is now a full-time student at the foundation.

She said: “I had problems at school and I was always fighting with the teachers. They threw me out but I have been doing really well here and wish I had started earlier.

“The teachers are really relaxed and they are helping me to prepare for college – I am hoping to do a hair and beauty course.”

Ayden Wale, 17, is studying for English and maths GCSEs and hopes to study mechanics at college.

He said: “I do English and maths but also get the chance to do art, PE, football and construction.”

Headteacher Paul Larkin urged young people to take up spare places.

He said: “There are a lot of young people out there who finish school at 16 and suddenly realise they need GCSEs or other qualifications to be able to go to college or get a job. We are here to help them.”

Anyone interested is urged to contact Paul on 07545 742803 or paul.l@ukyouth.org.