Samworth Church Academy celebrated its annual Founders Day this week with special guest speakers the Rt Revd Richard Inwood and Caroline Samworth.

The Founders Day event takes place each year to recognise the sponsors of the Academy and the principles and ethos behind the plans for the Academy at its inception.

Addressing the Academy students, acting Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Rt Revd Richard Inwood said that the Church of England is wholeheartedly committed to the partnership and “We want you to know that you are part of our mission and ministry in this county and that we stand with you in ensuring the best education for our children.”

Founders Day at the Academy also reminds students that the Academy ethos is to foster well rounded individuals and at the heart of this is the ‘Endowment Trust’, a fund set aside to help students to pay for activities that further their development.

Student speakers Molly Patterson (Yr13) and Oliver Betts (Yr11) talked to the audience about the Academy’s ‘Endowment Trust’ and the benefits it has provided for them personally.

Molly said: “I used the‘Endowment Trust for a Royal Tour Ship race in September for two weeks with the Sea Cadets. I received a few new qualifications which has helped me to go on to a scholarship for three weeks on a ship which will sail around the coast of Spain. The ‘Endowment Trust’ at the Academy helped me to fund the trip, I did some fundraising to raise approximately £100 and the fund provided £400 to enable me to do the trip. I was very pleased and it enabled me to do something that might have been out of reach without help.”

Oliver Betts (Yr 11) said: “The Endowment Trust provided half the money for a trip to visit a concentration camp Auschwitz. I am hoping to take A-level history next year so feel I have learned a lot by being in Poland. I don’t think I could have found the full cost of the trip, so the Endowment Trust has been a great help to me.”

Caroline Samworth on behalf of the Samworth family said that she feels that it is important to recognise Founders Day each year. “It is important for the pupils and staff to realise how far we have come in the last 9 years and to remember the contribution of the original founders. Also, for them to realise that we are still involved and still care very much and will do for many years to come.

“It’s the start in the students’ life that they receive from their parents and school that carries them through for the rest of their lives.

“We believe that every child has a right to a good education which teaches them about integrity, honesty, hard work and the ability to get on with others. The Academy is on a journey, which we have not yet completed. We are confident that the pupils and staff are heading in the right direction.”