Newcastle school celebrates funding win

Gosforth Academy in Newcastle is celebrating after successfully applying for funding to send pupils on a two-night team building trip.

The school has secured a £4,000 donation after applying to our Community Champions Scheme.

School Headteacher Preit Chahal and pupils this week welcomed Persimmon North East Managing Director Stuart Grimes and Councillor Lesley Storey to formally take receipt of the cheque.

The two-night residential trip will involve a range of activities and problem-solving tasks aimed at developing team building, resilience, courage, and communication skills.

Residential trips provide an opportunity for pupils to thrive and achieve in an environment that pushes them out of their comfort zone, and for many of the students, this will be their first time staying away from home.

Preit Chahal, Headteacher of Gosforth Academy, said: “Thanks to the generosity of Persimmon, we will be able to deliver activities for young people that they may not ordinarily have the opportunity to enjoy outside of school.

“At Gosforth Academy, we place a huge emphasis on students' personal development, and this donation will help us provide valuable experiences that students will hopefully remember forever.”

Councillor Lesley Storey, Cabinet member for a Growing City at Newcastle City Council, added: “It is always great to see local businesses, such as Persimmon, supporting our schools across Newcastle.

“Funding like this allows our young people to access new opportunities and build their confidence, which is crucial for personal development.”

Stuart Grimes, Managing Director Persimmon North East, commented: “At Persimmon we are committed to supporting the local communities in which we operate.

“It was great to visit Gosforth Academy recently and talk to some pupils who will be going on their upcoming residential trip. I hope they have an enjoyable time, and it is a pleasure to support such a good cause.”