Partner School students rise to Harrison Foundation Challenge at NUCASTLE

More than 120 students have taken on a unique challenge designed to boost their confidence, creativity and communications skills to better equip themselves for their future.

Students from five North East schools partnered with Newcastle United Foundation joined the Harrison Foundation Challenge, inspiring pupils to come together in teams to develop their own ideas of how they would enhance their typical school day through innovation or technology.

Coming through school heats, 25 students from Benfield School, Jesmond Park Academy, George Stephenson High School, North Gosforth Academy and Gosforth Junior High School all joined the finals hosted at NUCASTLE, the home of Newcastle United Foundation near St. James’ Park.

After enjoying a morning exploring STEM activities at the centre including esports and virtual reality HADO, each school team presented their idea to a panel including Daniel Harrison MBE of the Harrison Foundation.

Jesmond Park Academy created a student app ‘Grow’ – an app combining learning, organisation and student support with everything students need in one accessible place. Key features included lesson summaries and overviews to aid learning, academic targets to evidence progress, a notice board for key information with a dedicated space for wellbeing and stress management.

Andy Foster, Managing Director at Newcastle United Foundation, said: “We’ve been beyond impressed by the effort and dedication young people have put into the Harrison Foundation Challenge and couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve achieved together over the last few weeks.

“The project has presented young people with a unique opportunity to work with new peers, explore different ideas as a team and to pitch their plans to a panel.

“Our work in Partner Schools with the Harrison Foundation centres around young people developing skills like teamwork and communication – the Challenge is the perfect opportunity for students to be creative, build confidence and to realise their potential.”

Partner Schools supported by Newcastle United Foundation and the Harrison Foundation have dedicated staff work within the school to support pupils who may be struggling with engagement or facing personal barriers to education. The programme offers tailored mentoring and wellbeing support throughout the academic year.

Since September, more than 700 young people have been engaged by the programme with 94 per cent agreeing that they feel “inspired and engaged” by their work with the Foundations.

Harrison Foundation trustee, Daniel Harrison MBE, said: “Seeing over 120 young people working together in teams, having fun and presenting their ideas with such confidence was really encouraging. The Harrison Foundation Challenge is about giving young people the opportunity to think differently, build important life skills and realise what they are capable of.

“Through our partnership with Newcastle United Foundation and local schools, we are creating opportunities that help young people grow in confidence, develop communication skills and engage more positively with their education. This year’s Challenge is a clear example of the impact that approach can have.”

One student who took on the Harrison Foundation Challenge said: “The thing I enjoyed most about the Challenge was getting to work as a team on an idea that would improve school for us all.”

Another added: “I have developed how to creative thinking and to work with others and make new friends.”

The Challenge was delivered by Newcastle United Foundation in collaboration with the Harrison Foundation, which helps fund more than 1,600 sessions annually across the region sharing a goal to lasting impact by offering meaningful opportunities to young people through education and mentorship.

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