Schoolkids showed off their graduation diplomas after a year-long project to build their self-confidence.
The were presented with certificates at the end of the Aspire project at Toynbee Hall in London’s East End, watched by their proud families, school staff and community leaders.
The graduation was the end of a project for year-9 pupils in Tower Hamlets secondary schools to build confidence and communication skills.
The youngsters worked with volunteers in informal education and went on school trips including a week’s stay at a farm in Wiltshire.
The project raised the ‘life satisfaction’ of East End teenagers’ by 36 per cent of the national average, according to organisers—despite growing up in an area with Britain’s highest rate of child poverty.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here