Whitgift Community Summer School 2025

This summer, Whitgift once again opened its doors to run the Community Summer School. Now in its 6th year, the Community Summer School continues to go from strength to strength, which is in no small part due to the incredible generosity of individual donors who wish to give back to the School they love and to projects that have such a positive impact on the young people of Croydon.

This year the Community Summer School operated over one week but the intake was increased to just over 160 students from over 20 different primary schools in Croydon. Over the course of an action-packed week, students experienced a range of academic and co-curricular activities designed to challenge and inspire them. From investigations with microscopes; getting to grips with square numbers; learning how to greet someone using British Sign Language; understanding (and using!) the basics of clowning; creating beautiful origami cranes or making a hand designed tote bag to take home, the opportunities felt limitless and it was clear from the energy and buzz of the students that they loved every minute of it.

Outside of the classroom, the Community Summer School also helps support students in developing confidence and interpersonal skills and for many, it is their first experience of having to work with new people in an unfamiliar environment. Whilst there were many nerves at the start of the week it was incredible to see those same students zooming down the terrace to meet their tutor and new friends by Wednesday!

As ever, with the help of an incredible team of staff from Whitgift, Trinity and Old Palace, as well as an amazing group of Sixth Form volunteers, the Community Summer School once again created a fun, inclusive, and empowering experience for all.