Education that looks beyond the school gates
At St George’s, education extends far beyond the classroom. From their earliest days, pupils develop meaningful connections with others, gain a world-wise perspective and actively contribute to the local community.
Through partnerships with local schools, charities and community organisations, pupils have opportunities to share their skills, learn from others and make a positive difference. Whether through volunteering, charity fundraising, reading with younger children or welcoming local schools to St George’s, community outreach is an important part of school life.
Local children welcomed to our pantomime and other outreach events each year.
Volunteering hours achieved in one day (Big Help Out 2025).
Connected to our community
Meaningful connections with others are developed through play, work and service. Learning to step outside their own social circles and understand the experiences of others is an important part of every pupil’s education.
Our community action is embedded within school life and overseen by one of our Deputy Heads, who reinforces the importance of this ethos across the school. Staff also coordinate academic and sporting events with our local school partners, helping to build strong and lasting relationships within our community.
Over many years, we have developed close connections with local schools, charities and community organisations. These partnerships provide opportunities for our pupils to contribute, collaborate and learn from people beyond the St George’s community.
Outreach in action
The Big Help Out
Our pupils regularly come together to support their local community through volunteering and practical action. The Big Help Out is one example of how our pupils put the spirit of service into practice, working together to give their time and energy to help others.
The difference it makes
Community outreach gives pupils more than the opportunity to help others. It develops the confidence to communicate with people from different backgrounds, the empathy to understand different experiences and the sense of responsibility to look beyond themselves.
By connecting with their local community through partnership, volunteering and service, pupils learn to recognise the difference they can make – both within the St George’s community and beyond it.
At St George’s, being Connected means looking beyond ourselves, building meaningful relationships and making a positive contribution to the world around us.
Our community partnerships
Our pupils are actively involved in a range of projects with local schools and community organisations.
Each week, groups of Lower Sixth pupils provide one-to-one reading support for younger children at local primary schools. Local pupils also visit St George’s for education taster days in Science, English, Art and Drama, where they can make use of our facilities and benefit from specialist teaching.
At Christmas, we welcome almost 200 local school children to St George’s to enjoy our hugely popular pantomime, creating opportunities for pupils from across our local community to come together.
Sharing skills and opportunities
Our partnerships give St George’s pupils the opportunity to share their knowledge, talents and enthusiasm with others.
From helping younger children develop their reading skills to supporting academic taster days and creative activities, pupils learn how to communicate, collaborate and use their strengths to benefit others.
These experiences broaden pupils’ horizons while developing confidence, empathy and a greater understanding of the community around them.
Volunteering and service
Volunteering provides another important way for pupils to become involved in their local community.
Our Year 9 and Lower Sixth volunteering club has links with local care homes, where pupils visit older people and provide social activities and entertainment. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award also provides a further opportunity for pupils to develop their volunteering skills and contribute to their local communities.
Through these experiences, pupils learn that making a difference can be as simple as giving their time, listening to others and being there for someone.
Charity and fundraising
Giving back is part of everyday school life
Our whole-school charities programme gives pupils an active role in supporting causes that matter to them. Each year, pupils vote for three charities; one local, one national and one international; and every year group takes part in fundraising activities throughout the year.
Fundraising events are often inventive and pupil-led, from cake sales and sponsored runs to mufti days, Christmas fetes, Summer Fairs and even ‘Teacher for a Day’.
Alongside our three chosen charities, pupils also support a range of wider causes, including Jeans for Genes Day, Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day and Comic Relief. At Harvest, the whole school also comes together to collect groceries for a local food bank.
Through charity work and fundraising, pupils develop a compassionate approach to life and a sense of responsibility beyond their own front door.