At Fight for Peace we understand the power that lies in collaboration, and sharing skills, knowledge and expertise to further increase support to young people in our communities. Some of our team recently visited our long-time Alliance partner and friends, Vulcan Learning Centre in Hull to find out more about their education programme as we look to widen our education offer to young people in Newham.
The Vulcan Learning Centre has supported young people in Hull since it was founded in 2012 by Seb Glazier, originally opening its doors as a boxing club.
After joining the Fight for Peace Alliance, Vulcan adapted our Five Pillar methodology which integrates Boxing and Martial Arts with Education, Employment, Youth Leadership, and Support Services, to reflect the specific needs of their local community. By tailoring our approach, they developed a holistic model, and have now been delivering impactful education programmes to young people for over a decade.
Today, Vulcan operates as a registered training provider and secondary contractor, offering vocational education for 14–16 year olds. They work closely with schools and local partners to deliver accredited National Open College Network (NOCN) qualifications and vocational units in areas such as boxing, cooking, construction, health and safety, and nutrition.
Their approach is tailored to learners who have found mainstream settings less accessible, offering a nurturing and hands-on learning environment. Vulcan is currently in the process of becoming a specialist independent school, further formalising their commitment to high-quality, alternative education pathways for young people.
With the success of their education programmes, our team was keen to gain insight into how they have been able to stay consistent in delivering impact across so many areas, whilst ensuring the highest standard of teaching and support possible.
What struck us most during our time at Vulcan was the openness of their team to share not only their successes but also the hurdles they’ve overcome. It’s through the exchange of real experiences, practical solutions, and lessons learned that we strengthen the wider network of support available to young people across the UK, and beyond.
Fight for Peace’s Education, Employment and Training Manager Carolina shared some reflections: “From our visit, we saw how essential it is to deeply understand local needs and respond in ways that build on an organisation’s unique strengths and opportunities.”
“After several years as a registered training provider making a meaningful impact on young people’s lives in Hull, Vulcan made the strategic decision to become an independent school, and the transition is progressing well,” she continued.
“As for our own plans, we’re now finalising a local mapping and consultation process to gain a clearer picture of youth education needs in Newham. This will help us explore how our current, or expanded provision can meaningfully complement existing services in the borough.”
The lessons we’re taking from Vulcan are already shaping our next steps. Their approach to curriculum development, youth engagement, and school partnerships has given us valuable guidance as we look to design an offer that is both relevant and transformative. With these insights, we’re better placed to build an inclusive and impactful education programme that complements the needs of our local community.
This kind of knowledge sharing doesn’t just influence our work in Newham, it creates a ripple effect across the wider Fight for Peace Alliance. Vulcan has been a key example of this, playing a pivotal role in supporting fellow Alliance member, Training Cave to expand its offer for local young people. Seb’s mentorship and encouragement were instrumental in helping the organisation grow and become part of the Alliance.
As we continue shaping the next phase of our education work, we remain committed to embodying a culture of learning and shared growth, one where knowledge moves freely between peers, partners, and young people – because together, we are stronger.
Our national and international Alliance partners form a strong network of organisations that adapt Fight for Peace’s Five Pillar methodology to suit their local needs. Together, we’re able to support more young people in our communities, helping them become champions in the ring and champions in life.
