A new partnership with Football Beyond Borders
By the William Ellis Trust
We are delighted to be funding a new partnership between William Ellis School and Football Beyond Borders, bringing the charity's multi-award-winning programme to the school from September.
Football Beyond Borders works with young people who are at risk of disengaging from school, using long-term mentoring, relationship-building and the power of football to help pupils develop the confidence, resilience and sense of belonging they need to thrive. Their work has supported thousands of young people across the country and has become widely recognised for its impact on educational engagement and outcomes.
The partnership represents an exciting opportunity to further strengthen the support available to pupils at William Ellis. While academic achievement remains important, we know that young people are most likely to succeed when they feel connected to their school community, have trusted adults around them and believe that they are valued as individuals. The work fits perfectly with developing a sense of belonging which is so key to our work.
Football Beyond Borders' approach closely aligns with the ethos of both the school and the Trust. At the heart of their model is the belief that strong relationships can transform a young person's experience of education and unlock opportunities that might otherwise feel out of reach.
Pedro Correia, Head of Schools Partnerships at Football Beyond Borders, said:
"Throughout our conversations, it has been clear that there is a strong alignment between our organisations in how we think about young people, relationships and the role schools can play in helping every young person feel seen, valued and supported to thrive. We're excited about what we can build together over the coming years."
Football occupies a unique place in the lives of many young people. Few activities have the same ability to bring together individuals from different backgrounds around a shared passion. A glance across the William Ellis playground at lunchtime demonstrates the role the game plays in building friendships, creating connections and fostering a sense of belonging among pupils.
This is particularly important in a diverse community such as ours, where football often provides a common language that transcends age, background and culture. The game creates opportunities not only for enjoyment and physical activity, but also for conversations, mentorship and personal growth. The joyous scenes across (much of) North London of Arsenal fans celebrating their recent title win was a wonderful reflection of all that we love about the strength and diversity of our part of the world.
This is particularly important in a diverse community such as ours, where football often provides a common language that transcends age, background and culture. The game creates opportunities not only for enjoyment and physical activity, but also for conversations, mentorship and personal growth.
The new partnership comes at an exciting time for the school and Trust. Alongside plans to redevelop the school playground in the coming years, we are continually seeking new ways to create spaces, opportunities and experiences that help young people connect with one another and develop a strong sense of community.
We are incredibly grateful to the supporters whose generosity enables the Trust to fund initiatives such as this. Their support allows us to invest in programmes that enrich pupils' lives, strengthen wellbeing and help ensure every young person at William Ellis has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
We look forward to working closely with Football Beyond Borders and are excited to see the impact of the programme on pupils in the years ahead.
If you would like to learn more about the Trust's work, or how your support can help create opportunities for young people at William Ellis, please get in touch.