Thanks to a generous £60,000 grant from The Walcot Foundation, our school is on a mission to foster wellbeing and an enhanced sense of belonging, particularly for our most vulnerable students.
Last year, our trial showed promising results, including improved attendance and reduced suspensions. Building on this success, we will begin a three-year project in September, targeting a cohort of Year 7 students. The initiative will feature specific extracurricular activities, such as before-and after-school basketball training, one-on-one mentoring and counselling, and the opportunity to participate in summer holiday camps.
Principal Una Sookun said: "We are immensely grateful to The Walcot Foundation for their invaluable support in funding this project. Like us, they share a common goal of enabling young people to thrive, and we are committed to implementing the right interventions to make this a reality. This is just the beginning of an exciting journey for our school.”
Coach Max Simon, who leads basketball at the school, recognises the role that sport plays in supporting mental health. He said, “Through the game of basketball, we can help our young people face the past, embrace the present and elevate their future.”
The Walcot Foundation is a charitable organisation based in Lambeth. The foundation focuses on education, employment, and community engagement to create opportunities for those in need. Their work has positively impacted many lives in the local community.
Joe Doran, Head of Grants at The Walcot Foundation, said, “We’re excited to continue our longstanding and fruitful relationship with Ark Evelyn Grace Academy. It’s fantastic to see the difference that this innovative approach can make to the lives of young people in the area.”