By Tom Burton
The Kinetic Foundation could soon open its own school, with sport at the heart of learning, after plans were pushed forward to secure school status.
Since 2011, the Croydon-based foundation has used sport to help young people from deprived backgrounds reach their full potential.
It also acts as a football academy from which 13 scholars have gone on to sign for professional clubs such as Southampton and Sunderland.
But after promising enquiries, there are plans in place to combine Kinetic’s work and form a new school in south London.
“We can make it happen,” said director Harry Hudson. “The young people we work with at Kinetic typically dislike school and have been branded by society as low-achieving kids.
“We don’t provide an environment which values their talents, skills and passions – unless you believe everyone should become a scientist?
“The seed has been well and truly planted – we are going to start a school which values and supports the young people we engage with.”
Hudson said Easter’s tour of the USA for the Dallas Cup, which included trips to Philadelphia Union, YCS Academy and School 21, was the catalyst.
“What I experienced was something special,” he said. “The kids weren’t unhappy, teachers weren’t stressed, people weren’t moping about – the environment was so positive that I could only imagine people would excel there.
“I am – and always will be – extremely grateful to the YSC Academy, Nooha Ahmed-Lee and Ritchie Graham, the founder of YSC, for opening their doors to us and ultimately opening my perspective on what a school can be.”
At School 21, Hudson was blown away by the pupils’ enthusiasm to learn and how they developed their oracy skills – the ability to express yourself.
Hudson said: “Our vision to put PE and sport at the centre of our school is something I am truly passionate about. Some individuals learn their maths or science better through the medium of sport.
“We are still in the early stages of school design but we are continually learning and are incredibly excited about making this dream a reality.”
Read Hudson’s full story here.
If you are able to support the foundation’s application, email info@kinetic-foundation.org.uk