The transition from education to employment is often a tricky one, not always guaranteeing enjoyment.

Newham Recorder: Former Newham College student Francis Paley works as a tailor at Saville Row's shop Chittleborough and Morgan.Former Newham College student Francis Paley works as a tailor at Saville Row's shop Chittleborough and Morgan. (Image: Archant)

Former Newham College student Francis Pavey, 20, dropped out of his A-level studies but is now working in Mayfair’s prestigious Savile Row as an apprentice tailor for renown suit-makers Chittleborough and Morgan.

Newham Recorder: Former Newham College student Francis Paley works as a tailor at Saville Row's shop Chittleborough and Morgan.Former Newham College student Francis Paley works as a tailor at Saville Row's shop Chittleborough and Morgan. (Image: Archant)

While it can be all too easy to follow the crowd, he insists that it is well worth weighing up all the options when looking ­beyond compulsory education.

“I started out doing A-levels, mainly at my parent’s insistence, but I hated it,” he explained.

“It really wasn’t for me. I’ve always been interested in clothes and after watching a documentary about Savile Row it just looked amazing.

“I emailed a few different companies inquiring about work experience, they recommended the course and I’m now in an enviable job doing something I love.”

Francis completed a Bespoke Tailoring pre-apprentice course in June last year, studying at the college’s East Ham campus three days a week while getting hands-on experience the other two days.

A highly regarded course, Francis’s classmates came from as far away as Canada and Japan.

visit www.newham.ac.uk/courses/fashion-and-tailoring/bespoke-tailoring-pre-apprentice-course.