All 16-year-old school leavers without an offer to continue studying until they are 18 have been offered a place at Southend Adult Community College.

Subject to an interview, the offer has also been made to anyone aged 17 or 18 without a place to study, or who are not in work or attending any other education or training course.

Southend Adult Community College run a variety of vocational and non-vocational full-time courses for 16 to 18-year olds.

These include uniformed services, childcare, catering, health and social care and customer service as well as more traditional academic subjects.

As part of the drive, the council’s connexions team are also organising a ‘clearing’ style event, the day after GCSE results day.

This is to offer young people advice and guidance about their options including information for students who didn’t get the results they expected and to offer alternative training or educational opportunities.

This will take place on Friday, August 25 in Civic 2 (next to the Civic Centre tower block and police station) ground floor from 10am to 4pm.