L’École des XV is presented as an approved support of the National Education. This is how young people are directed to the structure by their main teachers, CPE, middle school principals, or primary school directors, who identify children who, due to their social fragility, are affected in their schooling.
"These are children at risk of dropping out,” explains Grégory Vignier. “And if we do nothing, we know they will finish their middle school education with great difficulties that will prevent them from accessing their chosen orientation.”
These children, whether girls or boys, either have behavioral issues that affect their schooling or learning difficulties due to multidys disorders or a lack of support at home for various reasons.
“There are more than 75,000 children who fail each year at school in France. It's a bit less than 10 years ago, but it's still a very significant number, especially when compared to social inequalities and that famous social determinism,” explains Grégory Vignier.
Indeed, while 40% of children from executive families will access university, only 5% of children from working-class families will do so.
Moreover, school dropout represents a cost of €340,000 per dropout for society. When L’École des XV reintegrates these children into the system for €20,000 over 4 years. A program that is free for them, but funded through sponsorship.
A success that relies on 4 pillars. First, attendance. This requires 12 hours of presence per week, plus half of the school holidays, for 4 to 5 years. Next, supervision, with a maximum of 4 children per adult, provided by highly qualified staff, including specialized educators, teachers, and rugby coaches.
The 4th pillar is solidarity. “This is a program that exists thanks to the skills sponsorship provided by companies,” says Grégory Vignier. “Volunteers come to help children with their homework, for example. It can also be material sponsorship for school supplies.” Or financial sponsorship that allows the program to be free for the children.
A program for academic success, therefore, which will be reinforced by an educational success program based on the values of rugby. It will involve learning to manage emotions, understanding gender equality, combating discrimination, and working on secularism. Ideas that will not just be talked about but will be put into practice on the field.
“They will create a community and learn that when they work on the values of respect, commitment, self-improvement, and diversity, they can also apply them in the classroom and everywhere else,” explains Grégory Vignier.
“Our main objective is to support them in making educational choices, in addition to their success and the life skills they will acquire to become fulfilled citizens.
And for 11 years, L’École des XV has proven itself. “Today, all our young people are either employed or studying, and they have become fulfilled young adults or adults, with very varied paths. And when they come back to see us, they tell us, 'You know, this has helped me a lot, I have confidence in myself and I know I can succeed if I work. I have no limits. Just because I come from the neighborhood doesn't mean I won't succeed. It's a hindrance, we shouldn't hide it, but they have forged a will and a selflessness that often surpasses that of many other children,” concludes Grégory Vignier.
