My SMS journey started in 2007. I had previously spent time abroad in the United States and Thailand as a professional footballer and sports coach. During this time I felt privileged to work with some of the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities in society and I knew then that I wanted to make a difference and give back. When I returned to the UK I set up a coaching company working in schools and football clubs. As part of this, I was asked to go in to mainstream and SEN schools to help the students who were not engaging well in their education. This was where I found my passion – helping young people who needed a little extra.
Using sports as the key motivating factor; focussing on football, boxing and fitness, I developed a varity of programmes to help them.
Before too long I had set up my own Alternative Provision at a central venue for schools and PRUs to access with their disengaged youngsters.
Over time, students wanted to access more and do more while they were with SMS, so I looked for a suitable venue to build a provision that could offer a whole variety of vocational options.
We found the Ferranti building in Failsworth, where we have been based since 2017 and have helped over 200 young people with our unique offer.
In June 2019 we gained our Independent School status for SMS Changing Lives School, where we now operate our full time school offer and Alternative Provision side by side, catering to the special educational needs of young people from the whole of Greater Manchester.
In Autumn 2023 we took on a new site at Ayres Road in Old Trafford to accommodate existing and new students in a larger setting, while keeping our base in Failsworth for SMS Thrive students who need a more relaxed and nurturing approach. We also have an Engagement Team based in Stockport who provide an outreach programme.
SMS Coaching Changing Lives School is proud to “Educate, Motivate & Inspire” hard to reach young people. Our objective is to embed valuable life skills in a nurturing education package, helping to prepare young people to work towards living a more independent and fulfilling life.
Jonathan Davies
Proprietor & Business Development
