Chris

Chris, 16, Bad Dog Rock Participant

Bad Dog Rock was a band skills workshop for students who are on the Key Stage 4 Engagement Programme. Weekly sessions ran during term time for two and half hours. The aim was to engage young people who were not on the main curriculum in school, offering personalised learning leading to a qualification.

Chris was referred to Bad Dog in September 2008, following several months of very poor attendance at school. He said he didn't have any friends and wasn't interested in the lessons so just stopped going.

He was interested in music but had not learned to play an instrument before. Chris started learning the guitar at Bad Dog and took to it straight away. He saved up and bought his own electric guitar so he could practice at home between sessions.

Chris said he found the one-to-one tuition particularly useful. "I learn fast here because it has a nice atmosphere and if I get something wrong my tutor shows me again without getting frustrated.''

As well as guitar, Chris learned bass, drums, songwriting techniques and music tech. In February 2009 he attended a Music Wise Rock School where he played bass in a band. He worked towards an Arts Award while on the project.

As Chris gained confidence in himself and his abilities, his attendance at school also improved, rising from 38% in July 2007 to 65% in May 2009. He took six GSCEs applied for a place on a music course at Norwich City College, something he says he would not have attempted if it hadn't been for Bad Dog.