Some of these examples come from the work of Mulberry Schools Trust in recent years.  These are the type of opportunities that Mulberry Schools Foundation will extend to partner schools and communities nationally and internationally.

Creating opportunity

…for young people that build creativity, confidence, discernment, leadership, self-determination, global awareness and a belief that all opportunities and challenges are open.

Meeting influencers and decision makers

Mulberry Schools Foundation will sponsor, host and lead a range of events that bring young people, their families and their communities into contact with inspirational role models: influencers, decision makers and drivers of change from all backgrounds and areas of interest.

The Foundation’s work will follow from events such as Mulberry Schools Trust’s Annual Lecture at the Royal Society of Arts.

Speakers have included:

  • Jude Kelly, Founder of the WOW Foundation
  • Tina Tchen, Chief of Staff to former First Lady of the United States, Michele Obama
  • Samira Ahmed, Broadcaster
  • Dame Donna Kinnair, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing
  • Susan Acland-Hood, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education

The Foundation will create opportunities for mutual learning between those from often-overlooked communities and those who walk in the corridors of power. The Foundation will also facilitate contributions from these same communities to London-wide, national and international platforms and events.

International partnerships

Mulberry Schools Foundation will have an international reach, providing opportunities for young people and adults in our communities to experience new countries, contexts and challenges. It will help students work with their peers from other countries to build mutually beneficial networks, programmes and development projects that lead to lasting change.

The Foundation’s first international study tour in October 2019 took Tower Hamlets students and staff to Singapore and Malaysia with a focus on women and young people’s leadership and voice. The study tour piloted anticipated starting points for the Foundation’s future international partnership work.

Students and staff learned from and worked with:

  • young people and professionals from a range of schools and colleges
  • the British High Commissions in Singapore and Malaysia
  • the Malaysian Parliament and its Deputy Minister for Women
  • young people’s campaigning organisations addressing climate change and suffrage
  • networks that give girls and women a voice

Wherever we met young people, our experiences related to theirs and it was easy to communicate openly with them. We have more similarities than differences.

UK participant

I learnt that when you are really being listened to, you find you have powerful things to say.

Malaysia participant

Space and place

The Foundation will support and facilitate more extensive use of Mulberry Schools Trust facilities, widen the range of activities and events that they are used for, and improve access to them. These facilities include two theatres, specialist digital media and health teaching environments, a number of computer suites and two sports centres, as well as the usual facilities of the Trust’s schools.