YOUNG Tommy Mann's future was looking desperate just 12 months ago – unable to read and write at the age of 11, any chances of leading a fulfilled life were rapidly disappearing.
He had dropped so far behind at his school in Harlow that life beyond the school gates was looking bleak.
But Tommy, now 12, has discovered a new confidence and is blossoming in lessons thanks to a residential special school in Billericay that can trace its history back to Sir Francis Bacon.
The Essex County Council-run school caters for 72 boys, aged 11 to 16, who have exhibited severe behaviour and many of whom have been expelled from mainstream school.
Tommy is one of 37 weekly boarders at Ramsden Hall who are now being given a real chance to succeed thanks to a dedicated team of teachers led by Yvonne Gooudge, a former prison probation officer who before joining 17 years ago had been responsible for sex offenders and murderers.
Tommy, speaking quietly while clutching Yvonne's hand, said: "I couldn't read and write before I came here but now I'm doing much better.
"The teachers really help me a lot and there are lots of activities. I like it. I am doing a lot better here than I when I was in school.
"I am really excited about every time I leave home at the weekend, to go to board but I am excited about going home as well."
The school, set in 14.5 acres of grounds near Ramsden Heath, almost doubled its total capacity to 72 in 2009 following a £2.9 million expansion.
Among those who have left the school to plough their own furrow is 16-year-old Dan Swan.
After taking his GCSEs he is now furthering his education at an apprenticeship being run by Action Learning at a farm nearby.
Dan, originally from Benfleet, had his last day at the school last Wednesday when there was in inter-school sports day between Ramsden Hall, Cedar Hall in Benfleet, St Nicholas in Southend and Castledon in Wickford.
He said: "Ramsden Hall is so much better than normal mainstream school, it boosts confidence apart from anything else.
"The teachers here are completely different. They give you more time. The teachers in mainstream don't have time for everyone all the time. It can be really difficult."
Yvonne, 54, said: "That is one of the reasons behind their frustration and is where their challenging behaviour has come from.
"Understandably, those who have been thrown out of mainstream school feel they are failures.
"The challenge is that when they come here we need to tell them they are not failures, but they have many opportunities and they need to take responsibility for their own behaviour and learning and that we are here to support them.
"What happens quite often is that even when they leave us they maintain contact with us so they can talk through problems they may encounter later on.
"We base the ethos of the school on students and staff treating each other with a mutual respect.
"They are normal kids who have been given a label.
"They are very proud of this place because for the first time they are seriously achieving. They might arrive with behavioural issues but they leave here well-rounded individuals."
For just the third time since 1985 Ramsden Hall failed to win the overall prize at the sports day – that was taken by Cedar Hall, but it was the reaction from the Ramsden Hall boys that most pleased Yvonne.
She added: "They were very worthy winners and the boys from Ramsden Hall saw that and stood up and shook all their hands. We are very proud of them."
Yvonne's experience in the criminal justice system laid stark how a lack of education can lead to ruined lives.
She said: "I was dealing with people with life sentences for murder – a lot of the time they were victims of poor schooling and education.
"We are trying to change all that before it gets to that stage – I want to get them early.
"But it is so fulfilling – It's the best job in the world."
