Over 2000 primary school children from the Sevenoaks district visited us for our Green STEAM Week , featuring sessions delivered by Sevenoaks staff , the Royal Institution and Spacefund . Many more took part in tournaments and competitions , such as debating , water polo , chess and athletics . We also continue to run our popular Holiday Activity Programme ( HAPS ), welcoming primary students for three-day summer courses in art , drama , maths , music , science and sport .
In November , we were delighted to host the inaugural conference for the School Partnership Alliance , which supports and promotes schools of different types working together – and learning from one another – to improve outcomes for all young people . We also continue to host primary school headteachers for their annual conferences and welcomed FuseSchool who ran a workshop with Sevenoaks students to gain their perspective on the future of AI and how it can be used to support bespoke online learning journeys for children around the world .
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
The Environmental Action Group has continued to support the school ’ s environmental vision and advocates for sustainable practices on campus . The termly Swap Shop has continued , and the group partnered with Friends of Sevenoaks to run a successful second-hand ski sale . They also advocated for the Longspring Wood campaign to protect local woodland . The Blue Team has continued to promote eco awareness in local primary schools and has supported several of these as they work towards Green Flag awards . Vegetables from our allotment continue to be donated to a local foodbank and students have advocated to reduce single-use plastics in local businesses , as well as partnering with the Darent Valley Community Rail Partnership to promote biodiversity around Sevenoaks station .
EQUITY , DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION GROUPS
Our relationship with Valence School , a school for children with physical disabilities and complex medical needs , has gone from strength to strength . We have been delighted to welcome Valence pupils to campus for sports events , science lessons and art workshops , and Sevenoaks students also travel to Valence each Thursday afternoon to help there . Our student-led Local Action Group has masterminded successful collections for Christmas hampers and hygiene projects , and students regularly volunteer at the Loaves and Fishes foodbank . We have also established a new partnership with the ANAK Foundation in Bali , harnessing technology to support young people to develop their conversation skills .
The mutual benefit of our partnership work is evident . Our partners , with their varying goals and objectives , derive real benefit from their interactions with our students and teachers , and our students benefit from a wide range of enriching opportunities that enable them to build skills and purposeful connections .
Kathy O ’ Donnell Director of the Institute of Service and Partnerships
SEVENOAKS SCHOOL 2023-2024 61