Mayor of London launches free youth 'summer schools'

The Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced funding for schools to provide summer activities and support for more than 2,000 of the most vulnerable young Londoners.

Through his new £45m Young Londoners Fund, the Mayor has awarded £750,000 to 15 schools to offer free activities during the summer holidays when education standards are known to drop and young people can be led astray.

Schools started rolling out the Mayor’s ‘Stepping Stones’ programme in the first week of the school holidays, supporting at least 2,100 young Londoners over the next two years. Each school works with a minimum of 100 Year 7 pupils (10-11 years old) and 40 Year 10 pupils (14-15 years old) who act as mentors. The scheme aims to give pupils a head start in making the transition from primary school to secondary school.

Stepping Stones is a targeted, school-led programme for vulnerable pupils from deprived and disadvantaged backgrounds who are most at risk of disengaging with the education system and therefore susceptible to being drawn into criminal activity.

Activities include a two-week summer school of educational and teambuilding activities to help immerse incoming Year 7 pupils in the secondary school environment before term begins. Morning sessions are typically focussed on improving core Maths and English skills, followed by an afternoon teambuilding exercise concentrating on social skills and integration.
            
Other measures include peer mentoring from Year 10 pupils to support Year 7 pupils via weekly one-to-one sessions throughout their first year of school and aspirational and career-based activities working with external organisations to inspire Year 7 pupils about different careers and future goals.
          
There will also be targeted lessons for Year 7 students, helping them to develop their confidence and ability to deal with different social and academic situations.
            
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Leaving primary school and starting secondary school is an important crossroads in any young Londoners’ life, but for some communities it can be a particularly crucial time where the decisions and paths taken can affect not only that child but their entire community.

“Stepping Stones offers help, advice and support to young people, giving them structure during the summer holidays – as well as sustained support during their first year of secondary school – a time when the most vulnerable can be led astray.

“That’s why, after a successful pilot, I am announcing £750,000 for 15 schools to roll out the programme to help and support thousands of young Londoners, including summer schools like these to give them something constructive and safe to do during the summer holidays.

“Massive Government cuts have decimated youth programmes and there are now far fewer opportunities like this for young people, making it all too easy for them to make poor choices.

“As Mayor, I am determined to give those that work hard a helping hand and that means providing opportunities to support young people so they make the right choices in life and fulfil their potential.”