JanineIn a quiet corner of Kentmere Community Centre, a small initiative is making a big difference. Turning Point, a newly founded alternative educational provision in Leeds, is transforming the lives of children at risk of exclusion from mainstream schools. With its nurturing approach, innovative curriculum, and strong community ties, the school is living up to its name—becoming a turning point for students who need it most.
The brainchild of Ryan, a former teacher with 20 years of experience, and his business partner Doug Mulholland, Turning Point was born from a desire to address the gaps in mainstream education. “Sometimes what mainstream schools can’t offer is the level of support we can provide at Turning Point,” Ryan explains. Inspired by his own children’s struggles with school and his professional background, he set out to create a space where students could flourish.
Turning Point caters to children at risk of suspension or permanent exclusion, offering them a tailored blend of academic and life skills support. The day starts with a morning check-in, where students gather over hot chocolate and breakfast. “We sit and talk about our day and how we’re feeling, which is a big thing for children,” Ryan says. Mornings are dedicated to academic work in English, maths, and science, while afternoons are reserved for enrichment activities that range from boxing and cooking to gardening, arts and crafts.
It’s these afternoon sessions that truly set Turning Point apart. In the professional kitchen, students learn to cook dishes like chicken skewers with spicy rice. But, as Ryan notes, the real lessons go deeper: “The soft skills underneath—communication, teamwork, good manners, how to respect your environment—are really important in life.”
The initiative has already started seeing results. Schools that refer students to Turning Point have praised its impact. “We’ve received numerous emails saying they’ve seen a marked difference in the way students perform when they return,” Ryan shares. Parents, too, are noticing positive changes. “When a child gets positive feedback from school instead of negative, it has a huge impact on the whole family,” he says.
Community support has been vital to Turning Point’s success. The Kentmere Community Centre provided the perfect base, and local organisations like LS14 Trust have pitched in. “There’s a real sense of community up here. Everyone is looking out for each other,” Ryan says.
Still, the school remains intentionally small, with a cap of just 10 students. “We want it to be a very small, nurturing, warm, and enjoyable experience for them,” Ryan explains. The team hopes to expand in the future but is committed to preserving its ethos of individualised care.
For Ryan, the rewards of running Turning Point are clear: “It’s a wonderful, satisfying job. We leave work very happy.”
Turning Point may be a small operation, but its ripple effects are already being felt far beyond its walls. For the students who walk through its doors, it offers not just a second chance but a pathway to a brighter future.
