An ‘education and aspirations’ programme based on philanthropy and partnership.

There is an alarming gap growing between the attainment of young people in Somerset and the average for England, particularly by children from the poorest families.

The percentage of pupils on free school meals achieving
5 A*-C GCSEs in 2010 was just 35%, which places Somerset
156th out of 157 local authority areas in the country.

We all believe that every young person should be able to fulfill their full potential. Urgent action is needed to break the cycle of underachievement and low aspirations which is denying young people in Somerset the opportunities they deserve.

The Raising Aspirations programme has been designed by Somerset Community Foundation to address this issue through a mentoring scheme, grant making and by bringing together people to develop further ideas and mobilise resources.

Click here to download a copy of the Raising Aspirations programme outline

Funding has been secured from a local charitable trust to run a 3 year pilot mentoring project in partnership with Crispin School in Street.   Contacts are being developed with the professional community, people in trades, in music and the arts, and in the public sector to secure volunteers to provide one to one mentoring to the pupils in the school.

We already have funds in excess of £50,000 per annum from funds established within the Foundation by local donors and business to support the grant-making aspect of the programme, and we expect this to continue to grow

‘The innovative mentoring programme at Crispin School gives childrenthe opportunity tomeet withlocal people on a regular basis. They are encouraged to aspire to be the best they can possibly be, to look to new horizonsand build a bright future full of potential for themselves.’

Fran Thomson, Deputy Head at Crispin School

e-mail Jocelyn for more information