Nottingham Girls’ High School is celebrating being shortlisted in the ‘Whole-School Community Initiative of the Year’ category of the TES Independent School Awards thanks to its incredible ‘Reach Out’ programme.

This award recognises initiatives that involve working with external groups such as parents and the local community, and submissions had to demonstrate a benefit to all parties involved.

The Reach Out programme at Nottingham Girls’ High School is a whole-school community initiative aimed at tackling the academic, social and creative barriers which often exist among children and young people. Over the past few years, the school has invited children from local primary schools to participate in a variety of fun, educational experiences from Business and Enterprise days to musical and sporting events, and these have proved incredibly popular and very successful as you can see from their blog.

Outreach and Community Coordinator Susie Bulling said: “Reach out is the most inspiring and rewarding programme to be part of. We work in partnership with our school SLT, teachers, student volunteers, parents and external community groups to raise aspirations and brighten the futures of children and young people. We are delighted to be shortlisted for the Whole School Community Initiative Award and look forward to learning about all of the other life changing initiatives at the ceremony in February.”

Susie and her team submitted their application to the TES (Times Educational Supplement) alongside supportive evidence and participant testimonials. The awards ceremony and dinner will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London in February 2018.

The school works tirelessly and is very proud of its community links. Julie Keller commented: “I am delighted about this well-deserved news and so proud of the Reach Out Partnership Team. They have worked really hard on some amazing and creative enterprises, and to make the shortlist is a fantastic recognition of their efforts. We will all have our fingers crossed on the day but whatever the outcome everyone should be rightly proud of all that we have achieved.”

We can’t wait until February to see how we do!