An independent girls school which works with state schools to improve the life chances of young people in Reading has been nominated for School of the Year, sponsored by Qwerty.
The Abbey School leads ARCH, a multi-school learning partnership for Reading which brings together individuals and organisations to offer opportunities and learning experiences for young people, and young women in particular.
Their nominator said the ARCH programme offers a range of activities that develop aspiration and self-discovery, built on innovative community connections.
The Abbey School partnership with schools in the state-maintained sector unites “all partners and collaborators in a desire to improve the life chances of young people in Reading – whatever school they attend – to help them explore their potential and live with confidence, purpose and joy,” the nominator added.
In 2022-2023 the partnership has achieved:
– 1,000 senior students from eight-plus schools attending inspirational talks and career sessions with leading women in law, engineering and psychology
– 2,500 people viewing national exhibitions celebrating Women in Sport and Women at the Bar, on exclusive loan to ARCH
– 100 primary children from 20 schools and day nurseries trying new sports to help them find ‘belonging’ through their Reading Festival of Sport celebrations
– Six schools attending a week of creative writing workshops for their Write On Festival
– A student business partnership launching the ‘bright pink bin’ recycling initiative for Reading
– Children at Palmer Academy, Wilson Primary and The Abbey coming together for reading and art
– A multi-school memory partnership developing memory techniques to enhance student performance.
