Hello,

For those of you that don't know me, my name is Gavroche, and I work as Head of Year 10 at Chobham Academy, Stratford. Placed here by Teach First five years ago, I have grown to care deeply about the pupils I teach, especially the 190 Year 10 pupils that I have worked with as Head of Year for 3 years. May I invite you to read my request below and donate towards a life changing opportunity for ten students?

Young carers, pupils at risk of gang affiliation, witnesses to domestic abuse and children in care - these are the challenges faced by some of my Year 10 pupils at Chobham Academy. COVID has made these challenges even worse.

As their head of year, I know each pupil brings a huge amount of talent and potential, yet what strikes me is that they are about to have their whole future limited by circumstances beyond their control. If I can gain your support, it would be wonderful to give ten pupils respite from their experiences.

I am seeking your help and advice to take these young people to Jamie's Farm. Therapy for 5 days on a farm in Monmouth gives them a chance to break a cycle of behaviour and offers them real options for a different future. Without this, these pupils will fall further behind their peers as they enter their GCSE year, denying them an opportunity to pause, reflect and amend their behaviour and goals.

The cost of this opportunity is £6,600. This covers rigorous preparation, experience and post-trip assessment for each pupil. The Academy has generously offered £1,500, but we need to raise the remaining £5,100. Can you help us to raise this by June 11th?

The pupils themselves will carry out a range of challenges/tasks to ‘earn’ their place at the farm. Anything you give will have an incredible impact on the prospects of these pupils.

Over the three years I have worked with these pupils, I have seen how their opportunities have been limited by others’ needs and actions. Your support in giving them a chance to reset, reflect and resume at school on an even keel would be hugely appreciated by them, their families and, most importantly, their future selves.

Yours sincerely,

Gav x