Congratulations to Heanor Gate Spencer Academy for this terrific nomination! They are celebrating their Prize-winning Community Collaboration category of the World’s Best School Prizes, organized by T4 Education. This accolade is a great testament to the hard work and accomplishments by the school. They’ve developed deep collaborations with local groups such as a foodbank, a care home and a boxing gym to improve community wellbeing.
The nomination also highlights the academy’s efforts to involve their community in innovative ways during and after the Covid pandemic. Principal Matt Jones emphasized that the school has significantly increased its outreach since the pandemic, stating, “There have been a lot of people involved in the evolution of the school.” He added that the organization continues to aim to be “the heart of the community.” Their aims are to build connections that extend past the formal walls of academia.
One particularly successful project has been collaborating with a local boxing gym. Through this creative partnership, students are able to access high-quality boxing instruction during their school day. This innovative program serves as a pipeline to help students develop both pathways to physical fitness and training in life skills. Lottie, a 14-year-old pupil at Heanor Gate Spencer Academy, expressed her pride in the school’s nomination, remarking, “I think it is a great opportunity for the school to be seen and noticed and it makes me proud that I am part of the school.”
The academy’s collaboration with local organizations includes working closely with a nearby care home and providing support for a local food bank. Principal Jones reflected on the challenges faced during the pandemic, highlighting the importance of community support: “There was a lot of work to do to support families through that period. With funds limited, we did as much as possible to offer services that went beyond learning. Our school stepped up and really exceeded all expectations!
The competition has four other creative and impactful categories. Winners will be announced at the World Schools Summit taking place in the United Arab Emirates this coming November. Vikas Pota, founder of T4 Education, called Heanor Gate Spencer Academy’s role in revitalizing public education across the globe “profound.” He stated, “It is in schools like Heanor Gate Spencer Academy where we find the innovations and expertise that give us hope for a better future.”
Lottie’s excitement over the nomination mirrors the excitement of the entire school community. She was surprised to learn that Heanor Gate Spencer Academy had made it into the top ten worldwide nominees, saying, “When I was told it [the award scheme] was worldwide I was shocked that we had made it into the top ten.”
