From mentoring and fundraising to community outreach, our pupils are making a real impact. With £44,729 raised so far this academic year, we’re committed to creating opportunities for others as part of our Westminster 2030 strategy.

Our school community continues to thrive through a strong sense of partnership and enterprise, with pupils actively engaging in initiatives that support charities, primary schools, and care homes. From mentoring younger students to fundraising for meaningful causes, pupils are developing into compassionate, active citizens who wish to contribute positively to the lives of all those with whom they interact. So far this academic year, a total of £44,729 has been raised for various causes, including the Cardinal Hume Centre, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and the British Red Cross, among others.

This year, our pupils have continued to get involved in a variety of projects that make a real difference in the community. Whether it’s supporting younger children with their reading and maths at Millbank Gardens Primary Academy, or spending time with residents at Norton House Care Home, pupils are contributing to causes that matter to them. Alongside this, they’ve been busy leading fundraising efforts for charities they’ve chosen, putting their enterprise skills to good use. 

Through their volunteering, pupils are helping to strengthen ties within the local community by regularly acting as reading and maths mentors for Year 2 students at Millbank Gardens Primary Academy, supporting younger children to build confidence and improve their skills. Millbank pupils share their thoughts – Hiyab said, ‘It’s amazing because I love reading!’ Bilal added, ‘The books and stories we get to read are interesting, and I really look forward to it every Thursday.’ While Anaya said, ‘I really like reading with the boys from Westminster Under School because they bring lots of fun books!’ 

As part of their mentoring at Millbank Gardens Primary Academy, Year 7, and now Year 8, and Year 6 pupils also provide academic support. In Mathematics, they work with Year 2 students on tasks chosen by them, which can include questions from the First Mathematics Challenge (Lower KS2) or Primary Maths Challenge (Upper KS2).  The children have the option to choose their own materials to work on, ensuring a tailored approach to learning. For English, the mentoring sessions take on a more personal touch, where our boys bring books that are close to their hearts and are willing to part with to give to a Millbank pupil. During the visit, they read a favourite passage from their book and discuss why they enjoy it, before leaving the book to be enjoyed by the pupil in school or at home.  

Arjun in Year 7, one of our most enthusiastic participants, says, ‘Reading to Year 2 at Millbank Primary has been a rewarding experience, and I would like to continue helping all the children to develop their reading.’ 

Equally impactful is the time spent with residents of Norton House Care Home, where weekly bingo and quiz sessions provide an opportunity for pupils and the elderly to connect and learn from one another. Both pupils and residents describe these sessions as a highlight of their week. The pupils bring a sense of joy and companionship to the residents, and the interaction fosters valuable connections between the younger and older generations within our local community. 

Pupils also take on key leadership roles through the Enterprise programme. Elected representatives in each Form lead and promote entrepreneurial projects, focusing on charity, community, and sustainability. They are involved in planning events, creating posters, collecting donations, managing charity funds, and organising assemblies. The Enterprise representatives meet weekly to discuss and plan these initiatives, with their entrepreneurial efforts being further acknowledged through badges awarded to those named Enterprise Ambassadors.

Alban in Year 8 has been a dedicated leader in his enterprise endeavours and shares, ‘‘I feel very privileged to have been an Enterprise Ambassador for almost 4 years, since I was in Year 4. Being an Enterprise Ambassador means having an integral role in thinking about and encouraging Enterprise across the whole school, as well as creating initiatives yourself. Enterprise is an essential part of life at WUS – thinking about our impact on the world around us and trying to make a difference.’ 

Last term, key events included participation in the Vitality 10k and Westminster Mile, visits to Norton House Care Home, the Harvest Festival, The Great Spotacular, concerts, and carol services in support of the Music Bursary Fund, Action Syria, and Asthma and Lung UK. Not forgetting, the largest fundraising event of the year – the Christmas Fair – raised £23,100, supporting charities including the Westminster Bursary Fund, the Cardinal Hume Centre, and Action Against Malaria – charities chosen by the pupils themselves.  

The success of the Christmas Fair was recognised in a recent assembly, where charity representatives joined us to explain how the donations will help fund life-saving initiatives, support homeless young people and families, and provide transformative educational opportunities.

Pupils are continuing to work hard for these causes throughout the year, with weekly Tuesday morning meetings dedicated to event planning. Last year’s success has been a great motivator for their ongoing efforts.

Mr Sverrisson has been leading this work as Head of Enterprise. ‘Sometimes, it is a fine balancing act to attend to the enthusiasm our pupils show for charitable work and all things entrepreneurial on one hand, whilst fulfilling my teaching duties on the other. The boys certainly keep me busy, but it has been an extremely rewarding experience to harness this energy and allow their passion for our work to find suitable outlets, enriching their educational experience at WUS.’

Through these initiatives, our pupils are demonstrating an incredible commitment to community involvement. They are not only learning the value of compassion but are actively making a positive impact in the lives of others. 

As part of our Westminster 2030 strategy, we have re-dedicated ourselves to developing a strong local presence, focusing on opportunities for young people, whether that be through bursaries, collaborative teaching, knowledge sharing, educational events, or access to facilities.