Fifteen-year-old Salah is a Year 10 pupil at Academy 360 in Pennywell, Sunderland. He’s one of nearly 2,000 students benefiting from a new initiative aimed at increasing cooperation between surrounding school districts. We meet young Salah whose dream of becoming a doctor is threatened. He’s passionate about change, creating a positive impact on society and fulfilling a calling to contribute to the future.
Salah is just one of arguably thousands of young, hopeful voices like his in Pennywell, a suburb often unfairly viewed as hopeless and destitute. He argues that this ruling ignores all the promise and hope that city residents cling to and hold for their home. “I urge people to visit my suburb before casting judgement,” Salah remarked. His desire to help others reflects a growing sentiment among local youth who are eager to break free from negative stereotypes.
That’s exactly what the newly launched initiative — called REACH — seeks to do among local schools, creating a culture of collective responsibility and assistance. According to Julie Normanton, principal at Christ College, this initiative has been crucial. “Traditionally there is a temptation with schools to work very much in isolation,” she stated, emphasizing that despite the competitive nature of schools, they share a common goal: to improve the lives of children.
Mrs Normanton recognised her teachers enthusiasm for the programme, which aims to tackle some of the most pressing issues within the local education. The fellowship behind the initiative highlighted issues such as low school attendance and the alarming number of young people leaving school without the necessary support to transition into the workforce.
“Schools want the very, very best for their young people but they can’t always access it in a way other families can,” said Sally Newton, another advocate for educational reform in the community. This collective dream around the new idea exhibits the cooperation required from everyone, but the spirit of competition remains.
The scheme is concentrated on raising attendance and encouraging better academic success. Most importantly, it opens doors for students like Salah to pursue their dreams. Whatever branch of medicine Salah goes into, his future looks bright. He represents the hope that this project will bring permanent change for himself and his friends in Pennywell.
