Inside Scoop 2019

INSIDE SCOOP
Wraparound pastoral care is
at the heart of the charity
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“Relationship” is the key word here. “The critical
bit, which is why we have a very high retention rate
– well over 90 per cent – is that we have a ‘whole
child’ agenda,” explains Davenport. “We get to know
the children, we build a relationship with the family,
with a community group, the school, we link that
all together. We then build the relationship going
forward with an alumni programme.”
Wraparound pastoral care, including holidays, is
at the heart of what Royal SpringBoard does - and
no pupil gets dropped after school, or if things don’t
work out. “There are lots of complexities that might
emerge from having someone from, say, Peckham
start at Marlborough or Oundle or
wherever. But most get there in the
end. For those that don’t last the
course of the school, we believe we
must play a part in helping them to
wherever they go next - we start the
process in partnership with the child
and the school and we feel morally
obliged to carry that on.”
Ian Davenport
To ensure this happens, Royal
SpringBoard has an independently evaluated impact
assessment process, which monitors the children
to the age of 25. And it’s also building an alumni
network, explains Davenport, to help with its vision of
creating the “ripple effect”: the idea being that Royal
SpringBoard’s work not only positively influences
each individual child, but also impacts the lives of
their families and wider neighbourhood. “One of the
critical things with the Royal SpringBoard model is
that the children go back to their local communities
and act as ambassadors. That’s what it’s all about.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Who is the average SpringBoard child?
★ A family income of just under £20,000.
★ A need for boarding.
★ Disadvantaged in some way: a Looked
After Child, a vulnerable child on edge
of care, due to personal traumatic
circumstances, living in an area of high
social deprivation.
“The critical bit, which
is why we have a very
high retention rate –
well over 90 per cent
– is that we have a
‘whole child’ agenda”
The most powerful way to influence
change is if you see somebody you
know influencing change.”
“The best example would be
Yuriel Kpalobi – he came from
Tottenham, became head boy of
Millfield School. He very strongly
believes he must give something
back, which he does. And there’s
no question that he has a profound influence.
I picked him out, but there are any number of
those success stories.” In this way, each individual
school can play a part in the wider engagement of
social mobility.
And the ripple effect works in reverse, too, with
Royal SpringBoard pupils enriching the lives
of their boarding school peers in return. “Royal
SpringBoard children have got something about
them,” says Davenport. “They’ve got leadership
skills, they’re resilient, they’re real role models. They
have a profound effect on those around them as they
say, ‘You know what, you can do something with
your life and this is my background, I’m really proud
of my background, why would I not be?’ But also,
‘I’ve been blessed to be given this opportunity and
I’m going to make the most of it.’ That infectious
enthusiasm resonates around any community and the
more independent schools have an understanding of
societal issues the better. And they all want to.”
It’s what today’s parents want for their children,
too, believes Davenport. “Parents want schools
2019 ★ schoolnotices.co.uk 37