Founded in March 1010, Atkins Acorns is a not for profit organisation and the little sister in the Atkins Family. We are currently working towards accreditation to become a free school, and our aim is to be fully operational in 2012.

The provision of alternative education is an effective way of catering for young people who, for various reasons, cannot seem to achieve in mainstream education. Young people of black or mixed black heritage, and especially those of Afro-Caribbean origin, are disproportionately represented in this group. In Redbridge alone, less than 10% of the population is black or mixed black, yet they make up almost 60% of the Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) cohort.

We believe that a contributing factor to these young people's apparent inability to perform as well as their white peers in part is a result of a weakened sense of cultural identity. We believe that it is important to know who you are, what you are, and where you are from, to be able to reach your full potential. Therefore, we aim to strengthen black identity and celebrate black cultures throughout our curriculum. Using positive role models, focussing on the positive contribution black cultures have made to British and global culture, and challenging common stereotypes of black people, we endeavour to raise aspirations, maximise potentials and create opportunities for success.

Our ultimate goal is to re-engage disaffected, disengaged and/or traumatised young people with their community and society at large. We strive to build trusting relationships trough which our young people are empowered and enabled to make informed choices, and take responsibility for their own lives, whilst respecting that of others.

Are you, or do you know someone who is, between 14 and 19 and currently excluded from mainstream provision or on the brink of exclusion?

Give us a call - we can help!