A NATIONAL education charity is calling for business in Swindon to join them in helping disadvantaged school children in their local community.

National education charity Achievement for All is currently working with 12 schools in Swindon, but with over 80 schools in the area, it says the opportunity to positively impact on many more young lives is huge.

Currently in the UK there is an average 22 per cent gap in attainment between children receiving Free School Meals and their peers. The impact of children underachieving at school can last a lifetime, with failure to secure basic grades affecting chances of finding a job and, ultimately, to lead a healthy fulfilling life.

The charity wants businesses in the town to partner with them to help close this achievement gap – helping children at the heart of their communities.

Offering a programme to schools which has been designed by educationalists to raise the achievements of all children, no matter what their background, challenge or need may be, a specialist coach works in partnership with the school to identify pupils in need of the most support and develop a plan on how to ensure they get the very best out of every child vulnerable to underachievement.

The charity is currently working with Professor Sonia Blandford, CEO and founder of Achievement for All who said: “There is a real opportunity here for businesses in Swindon to give back to their community by investing in the future of local young people locally, including children of your customers and employees who may be struggling at school for a variety of reasons."

Children who benefit from the Achievement for All programme are typically making up to 50 percent more progress at school than their classmates, exceeding national expectations.

Eldene Nursery and Primary School in Swindon has been working in partnership with Achievement for All since September 2013.

Headteacher Heather Kellett said: “We were initially drawn to the programme because it would allow the school to develop engagement with families leading to the raising standards, by strengthening our already strong collaborative ethos. This has happened, and the whole school community has actively worked together to embrace the changes needed that have led to our successes.

“The most notable developments have been around the way we run our meetings with parents and carers which have been found to be more engaging and supportive. We have also introduced more opportunities to celebrate children’s successes, including sending postcards home, a dedicated space on the school website and a special weekly assembly.”

Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator Linzi Lawrence added: “It has been great to see teachers and support staff working more closely to meet the needs of children who find learning difficult. We have worked hard on providing a more individual approach for these children. The changes that have been made have led to children making above expected progress.”

Businesses who would like more information on how they can get involved can contact Achievement for All at enquiries@afaeducation.org