Kent Reliance Community Foundation (KRCF) has granted more than £16,000. This funding will increase the number of students experiencing free school visits to the Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent’s leading visitor attraction. The objective of this grant should be to improve the educational outcomes for school children in the Medway towns, focusing especially upon those from disadvantaged communities. ACHIEVE will support the full engagement of up to 900 high school students. In return, they will receive access to innovative hands-on learning experiences that are otherwise financially unattainable.
This grant helps break down the financial barriers many schools experience that limit student access to these priceless educational experiences. By covering the costs associated with school visits, the KRCF enables children and young people to experience learning outside of the traditional classroom setting.
As Jonathan Couch, head of grants at KRCF, explained, the stakes of this initiative could not be higher. He stated, “We believe that investing in these areas is crucial for building a brighter future for individuals and communities alike.”
The Historic Dockyard Chatham, operated by the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. Through their educational journeys, they are committed to inspiring a passion for learning that lasts a lifetime. It’s something that Stephen Billington, the Trust’s head of lifelong learning, recognised when he spoke the challenges faced by schools. He remarked, “We recognise that schools often face financial challenges that restrict access to valuable hands-on learning opportunities.”
Our educational program complements the students core curriculum. Beyond providing a valuable civic education, it incentivizes them to learn about their heritage and history in a deeper, more meaningful way. KRCF and Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust provide these free trips to rekindle a love of learning. Which is why they’re working hard to ignite the learning behind young explorers.
