Whitgift School were successful in securing grant funding from Central Government to deliver an exciting new initiative, 'The Inspiring Communities Project'. The school was one of only 15 local government areas to secure this funding throughout the United Kingdom.
A team including representatives from the school, local agencies, community organisations, businesses, parents and the wider community have all worked together to get behind local young people and support them to fulfill their educational potential.
Central government provided substantial funding along with specialist support for Whitgift School to undertake local innovation, campaign design and co-ordination. The Inspiring Communities project tested and developed a radical new approach to partnership working at a neighbourhood level, around the educational attainment of our young people.
This successful partnership delivered campaigns to raise the aspirations of young people, bringing together new and existing programmes and budgets from a range of different agencies. The Inspiring Communities project worked alongside young people, their parents and communities creating opportunities, broadening horizons and building self esteem.
Inspiring Communities followed on from a government study into aspirations and attainment in deprived communities which showed that whilst parents are the most important influence upon young people, the people and places where they live also affect their aspirations. This programme worked with young people, their families and the wider community in response to the unique challenges each area faced. The focus was upon 11-14 year olds as this was found to be the key age range when young people move from idealistic to more realistic ambitions.
Whitgift School successfully secured £500,000 funding to deliver a variety of initiatives aimed at raising the aspirations of their students and enabling them to achieve their potential in the future.
Our Community Pledge
‘Our vision is to contribute to the creation of a secure and confident future for the people of our community, which ensures that everyone has the opportunity to lead a full, healthy and satisfying life. We want to help all our children and young people to achieve their full potential and enjoy life. Better lives - Stronger Communities is the aspiration. We can succeed by working together in partnership. We have recognised that more can be achieved by working together’.
Please note
On 31st August 2011 the Whitgift School ceased to exist as a maintained school and opened as an Academy on 1st September 2011. The new Academy name is John Whitgift Academy (School Partnership Trust).