Students given GCSE boost at 'inspirational' fair
BBCAround 1,500 students have been given a boost to their GCSE studies at an "inspirational" careers fair.
Junior Saunders founded by the business GCSE Boost Feel Better after his own experience of being expelled from several Bristol schools.
The free two-day event was held at Aerospace Bristol on 13 and 14 March under the shadow of a Concorde plane.
"I felt really isolated 25 years ago - now being an advocate of education is a profound and powerful place to be," said Mr Saunders.
"I was always the underdog, I was always told I wasn't going to amount to anything and I wasn't academic enough.
"It was through life and transferable skills that I understood that anything is possible.
"If I can insert that into the mindset of Year 11 students and allow them to become the best version of themselves, then actually the sky's the limit," he said.
Alongside sessions offering "inspirational and informative" content designed to help students prepare for exam season, there were wellbeing workshops on mental health and nutrition.
Careers advice was also given by leading local employers, including the University of Bristol and Lloyds Bank.
Ian Browne, early careers Lloyds Banking Group, said: "They've all done different sports, hobbies, and have different roles in their families, and it's that uniqueness that employers are actually looking for."
Life 2020 director, Chamba Rule, said: " I hear what the students wanna do is inspirational; they all have high aspirations."
One attendee said: "Someone said there is a difference between good stress and bad stress, and I never really saw stress in that light before, but after hearing what he said, I see stress can be used in a good way."
Mr Saunders said he hoped the young people would be able to discover their purpose, just like he found his.
"His story is quite inspiring," said another participant, "He was proactive, rather than reactive and changed his life around.
"I am quite good academically, but I've had a lot of setbacks in my childhood, so this can help me become a better person, which is what I am trying to do," he said.
Story part 2 goes here
Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.