A TEENAGER from Newport has won the Ascential Educational Achiever award at The Prince’s Trust Awards in Cardiff.

Dylan Gregg, 16, was presented with the award at the Wales Ceremony at the National Museum Cardiff.

The Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense Awards recognise the achievements of young people in Wales who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life, and had a positive impact on their local community, as well as those who have played a part in supporting the work of the charity.

Dylan was excluded from several schools for violence and a lack of engagement before being passed onto a pupil referral unit.

He said: “I couldn’t handle school and I didn’t see the point of getting qualifications.”

When the pupil referral unit were unable to support him in the way he needed, he was sent to Newport Live Sports Development, where he could play football and received one-to-one learning support through The Prince’s Trust Achieve programme.

Achieve is a Prince’s Trust course that builds the confidence and motivation of young people who are struggling at school.

Dylan added: “I didn’t like it at first. They had to push me quite hard because all I wanted to do was play football, but the way they taught me at Achieve was different, and I started to enjoy learning.

"The programme helped me see that if I get some qualifications, I’ll have a better chance of getting a job I like in the future.”

He matured throughout his time on the programme and started openly sharing his opinions and became more respectful of his peers; he formed solid friendships and he no longer felt aggressive.

Dylan completed 7 projects on the Achieve programme and sat his maths and English GCSEs earlier this year, and doesn’t want to stop now.

He said: "I've changed massively because of Achieve. I don’t waste my energy on getting angry anymore; instead I focus my energy on doing myself and others proud, and that’s a good feeling to have.

"I’ve been volunteering at football sessions for Bettws Civil and am working towards my formal football coach qualification. I’d love to coach at Newport Live someday.”

Speaking at the awards, he added: “I’m proud of what I’ve achieved to get this far and after tonight, I feel even more confident about my future.”

Richard Baker from Ascential said: “We’re honoured to present the Wales Educational Achiever award to Dylan this year.

"He should be proud of his progress and what they have achieved. We wish him every success for the future.”

TK Maxx is a Platinum partner of The Prince’s Trust and has been working with them since 2013.