Welcome Does It…. Again
A Year of Opportunity, Discovery and Fun
This has been a busy and rewarding year for our teenage refugees and asylum seekers. Our cohort has grown considerably and we are now supporting around 100 students across five classes.
For young people who are adapting to a new country, learning a new language and often dealing with the stresses and uncertainties of their circumstances, education needs to be about more than what happens in the classroom. The enrichment programme has given our students opportunities to make friends, build confidence, discover new interests and simply have fun together.
And, with a little determination — and quite a few well-earned freebies! — we have managed to pack an enormous amount into the year.
Music, rhythm and creativity
We welcomed African drummers for a lively workshop that brought students together through rhythm and music. It was great fun, but also provided a wonderful way for students to relax, release some stress and enjoy being part of a group.
Music continued to play an important role throughout the year. A music charity provided eight two-hour workshops exploring rhythm, rhyme and song, introducing students to music-making in an informal and accessible way.
Opening their eyes to the wider world
We have also tried to give students experiences that broaden their understanding of the world around them.
The Amy Winehouse Foundation visited two groups to talk about substance abuse, while the Christoferous Foundation spoke to students about the dangers of the dark web and social media — subjects particularly relevant to young people growing up in an unfamiliar environment.
Twenty students attended a London Symphony Orchestra schools concert at the Barbican, giving them the chance to experience live orchestral music in one of London’s great cultural venues.
Twenty-five students also took part in a three-hour Royal Academy of Dance workshop at college. For many, this was an entirely new experience.
And two groups went to see The Wrong They Knew, a play exploring racism in Britain during the 1970s. Theatre provided an opportunity not only to enjoy a performance but also to discuss an important part of British social history.
Getting out and about
Some of the most memorable experiences have simply involved getting out of the classroom and experiencing London and beyond.
All five groups visited London Zoo, where students could spend time together in a completely different environment.
In June we took the students to Brighton for a day at the seaside, complete with all-day funfair wristbands. The students contributed towards the cost of the trip, making it something they could feel they had helped to achieve.
Then there was ice skating at Canary Wharf. For some students, getting onto the ice was quite a challenge! But the atmosphere was fantastic, with students encouraging and supporting one another as they learned to skate.
That sense of looking after each other has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the programme.
Enterprise, sport and teamwork
Our Enterprise Day was another highlight. Students worked together to raise money towards the ice-skating trip, while also donating 10% of the proceeds to a local children’s hospice. It was a great opportunity to develop practical skills, creativity and teamwork — while giving something back to the local community.
Sport has also proved extremely popular. We bought a volleyball net and balls, together with cricket and badminton equipment, and made use of both the college hard court and the local park. Even a couple of sessions in the park were enhanced by the arrival of ice lollies!
Ten students also took on the challenge of a climbing wall in Tottenham, giving them the opportunity to try something completely different.
Looking ahead to 2026/27
We are building on this year’s success with another programme of activities for the coming academic year.
· Circus skills workshops for all five groups, through Polka Dot Theatre
· Three drumming workshops involving all 100 students
· Ice skating at Canary Wharf
· Further Music Action International workshops, which are provided free of charge
· A Chickenshed Christmas show, featuring children singing, dancing and acting, with opportunities for students of all abilities to participate
· A visit to the Barnet Environment Centre, combined with art workshops
· Another Brighton trip, if funding allows
· Support from a volunteer artist working alongside students in class, provided free of charge
We will also hold another Enterprise Day, selling handmade artwork, jewellery and food produced by the students. The money raised will help contribute towards some of the activities in the programme, giving the students a direct role in making them happen.
More than enrichment
None of this is simply about filling time outside lessons.
For young refugees and asylum seekers, these experiences can be an important part of settling into a new life, developing friendships, gaining confidence and feeling that they belong.
A drumming workshop, a trip to the zoo, skating with friends, performing on stage or making something to sell may seem like small things. But together they create opportunities for young people to experience achievement, independence and belonging — and to see themselves as part of the wider community.