P E T-X i C A S E S T U DY PET-Xi
Sham’s Story - From student to classroom Shamsudeen ‘Shams’ Bello, aged 26, is originally from Nigeria, and came to the UK to study a Masters degree in Oil and Gas Engineering at Coventry University. While in Nigeria, he taught mathematics to students, and still had a passion for it, so he looked for tutoring opportunities in the area. He came across PET-Xi Training online, and saw it was looking to contract maths tutors to teach both children and adults as part of its courses. Shams decided to apply, and PET-Xi saw he was potentially an excellent fit for the role. He was given a maths assessment to test his ability, and subsequently scored 100 per cent on it. In the classes he has given so far, Shams has proven popular with the children and adults who he teaches, and PET-Xi have been delighted with his teaching.
However, the issue came in Shams’ immigration status. He was in the country on a student visa and needed a graduate visa in order for him to be officially self employed and therefore a contractor for PET-Xi. Support provided by PET-Xi Shams wanted to continue working with PET-Xi and set about applying for his graduate visa. But the costs of applying were close to £2,000 – money that Shams did not have. He raised the issue with Ruth Exelby, Head of People Management and Ofsted at PET-Xi, who then referred it to the PET-Xi Foundation.
“To lose someone like Shams because of the high cost of a graduate visa application would have been a great shame, so we were only too happy to pay for the costs through the PET-Xi Foundation. “It’s the first time we’ve ever done this in the Foundation’s history, but in all honesty it was a bit of a no-brainer when it comes to someone like Shams. “We look forward to hearing the results of Shams’ application and having him back teaching maths on our courses.” Outcomes Shamsudeen ‘Shams’ Bello
The Foundation was set up by PET-Xi founder Fleur Sexton DL in 2014 to help charity and community projects. It has currently donated over £100,000 to schools, charities and individuals who need a helping hand. In recent months, the foundation has donated laptops to support two students who are both in care, a new mountain bike to help a teenager get to college after his bike was stolen, and five cash gifts of £500 to help children, young adults and families during the festive season. Staff at PET-Xi Training told Fleur and the Foundation’s committee what a superb tutor Shams was, so the Foundation took the unprecedented decision to sponsor Sham’s graduate visa application. Fleur said: “Everyone in PET-Xi who has met Shams in the short time he’s taught on our courses has said just how brilliant he is. Both his colleagues and his pupils have all remarked on his intelligence and his approachability.
Shams reacted with complete surprise when the Foundation agreed to fund his graduate visa application, and is hopeful it will be successful. He said: “When the money appeared in my account, I just thought ‘oh my goodness, is this a joke?’ I couldn’t really believe it to begin with! “It was such a nice feeling as I felt a sense of belonging. The team at PET-Xi have truly put their faith in me and my teaching ability, which I am really proud of. “Teaching in PET-Xi’s classes has been great so far, it’s definitely something I want to continue if I can. “Now I have the money from the Foundation, I am looking forward to hearing back from the Home Office and I am hopeful my application will be accepted. “I am so happy; I want to say a big thank you to the wonderful and welcoming team at PET-Xi for the grant.”