Thanks to the support of donors who gave so generously to our Big Give Christmas Challenge Appeal, KIT was able to meet the costs of three camps in Wellbeing, Performing & Creative Arts and English as an Additional Language, benefiting nearly 70 students of Kensington Aldridge Academy.

These offered safe, positive and fun activities during the Easter holidays, with the further aim of re-engaging and supporting the most disadvantaged and at-risk students.

We’re looking forward to doing it all over again this Summer!

Wellbeing Camp

Led by the school’s inclusions unit, School Within School (SWS), this 3-day camp offering a varied programme of activities to engage, inspire and support students across Years 7 – 10 with a focus on wellbeing, mental health, aspiration, physical activity and mentoring.

Many of the pupils who attend these camps are experiencing challenges in their home lives, often finding the school day challenging as well.

The camp was co-delivered by many familiar faces including QPR in the Community, Soul Ltd, Future Men, Octavia Films and Vicasso Visuals. All the pupils had at least one member of staff they knew well and could check in with, and these established relationships also helped with behaviour management and engagement.

Time was made for fun and reflection - with motivational games and activities, football, mindful arts & crafts, Djing workshops, group and 1 to 1 mentoring sessions and a big communal cook-up and meal!

Here are two Year 7 girls presenting a collage artwork they made at the camp:

Performing Arts Camp

We thought three days of dance, music and drama would be a breath of fresh air after months of lockdown and 30 Year 9 and 10 students agreed!

Each day focused on one of the disciplines with the aim of building skill and nurturing passion in the performing arts, particularly for those students taking, or planning to take a PCA subject at GCSE.

The students were able to get their creative juices flowing through a varied programme dance, choreography, band practice and script and devising workshops and enthusiasm and engagement was high!

Below are some photos and testimonials from students attending the camp: