Key Stage 3 students from Shireland Collegiate Academy spent time with local residents at St Albans Community Centre in Smethwick, a non-profit community hub providing social activities and support services. The visit focused on conversation, connection and shared activities.
Working alongside the school’s Inclusion Team, students supported residents with physical exercise, games and creative crafts. However, the real impact of the visit came through conversation. Students and residents took time to share stories about school, life and personal interests, leading to genuine, heartwarming moments of intergenerational connection.
The visit brought together young people and older members of the community in a relaxed setting, with students helping to foster an atmosphere of warmth and engagement while developing their own confidence and communications skills.
Thomas Daly, Principal at Shireland Collegiate Academy, said: “Our students approached this visit with real kindness, respect and openness, and it was genuinely moving to see how quickly they built relationships with residents. At Shireland, we are committed to developing character alongside academic excellence, with a strong focus on community, responsibility and respect. Experiences like this bring those values to life in a meaningful way.
“We are proud to play an active role in our local community and to support students in becoming proactive, responsible members of it.”
The Academy said the experience highlighted the value of community-based learning and added that it looks forward to providing further opportunities like this in the future.
