I have just completed my last long training run for the 2019
London marathon. I was fortunate  enough to get a place in the general ballot and perhaps somewhat belatedly I have just started to think about fundraising!  Nevertheless …….

Last year I spent about a year working with Now Teach (NT nowteach.org.uk) assessing numerous seasoned professionals who have had successful careers and now wish to change careers and give  something back by retraining as a teacher. NT place successful recruits into challenging non-selective schools in disadvantaged areas. After some gentle coercion I was persuaded to take up the challenge and since August 2018 I have been working at Ark Elvin Academy a
secondary school in a deprived area in Wembley. This is the same school that recently hit the headlines because of Raheem Sterling generously donating 500 tickets for our pupils to attend the FA Cup semi-final.

There are over 900 pupils on the school roll and the composition
of pupils is significantly different to the average in secondary schools:

• 76% of pupils are recorded as having English as an additional language; 32% cent of students are / have been entitled to free school meals
• Almost 40% of pupils are of Asian background and 23% are Black.
• There are about 9% of pupils defined as having special educational needs.
• The pupil population is highly mobile, about a third of pupils who join the school in year 7 do not stay for five years.

Pupils do make positive progress, but the overall level of attainment
is low compared to national standards; too many students finish year 11 without the basic passport to progress to post-16 education; last year over 60% of pupils did not achieve a GCSE level 4 or above in English and Maths.  Nonetheless the school’s mission is

 “To ensure that every pupil leaves confident, articulate, and culturally aware; able to pursue careers they are passionate about, contribute to society and live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives.”

Most of my work has been teaching geography to pupils in
year 7 and 8 many of whom struggle with basic literacy; whilst they are aged 11-13 many have reading ages between 5 and 7.  Many come from poor backgrounds and are recent migrants to the UK. I teach these children about coasts but many of them have never been anywhere near a coast (or perhaps river) so despite my elaborate powerpoint slides what I teach is an alien concept to many of the kids. 

I am therefore raising funds to support a field trip to a coast near London. We are not planning to go anywhere exotic; our department would like to take as many pupils to Southend (no offence intended to local Southenders!) as possible. We think it will cost between £20-£25 per pupil and there are about 160 pupils in year 8. I would really appreciate any support you feel that you are able to offer; financial or just an encouraging word or two!

Many thanks 

Nilesh