Pupils strengthen community links across generations

Living our value of ‘Contributing to Society’ - Pupils strengthen community links across generations 

Across Brooke Weston Trust, pupils are finding practical ways to live out our value of Contributing to Society. From handwritten Christmas cards and poetry projects to care home visits and community activities, pupils are seeing first-hand how small acts of kindness can make a real difference to others’ lives. 

Schools including Beanfield Primary School, Thrapston Primary School, Brooke Weston Academy and Corby Business Academy have all taken part, each finding their own way to build connections across generations. 

Here is an insight into some of the great work happening across our Trust schools... 

Beanfield Primary School and Acacia Lodge 

At Beanfield Primary School, pupils in selected Year 3 and Year 4 classes have been reaching out to residents at Acacia Lodge Care Home in Irthlingborough. The link began through a family connection with the home’s activities co‑ordinator and has grown into a simple but powerful Christmas project. 

As part of a PSHE lesson, children talked about loneliness, belonging and what it feels like to be remembered at special times of year. They learned that some residents at Acacia Lodge rarely receive visitors and that for a few, Christmas can be very quiet. The pupils then created personalised Christmas cards, focusing on residents who might not otherwise receive many. 

Each card was carefully designed and written with a specific person in mind. The aim was straightforward: to let residents know someone was thinking of them. The home’s response showed just how much this mattered. Staff wrote to the school to say: 

• “The residents at Acacia Lodge were truly touched by the Christmas cards they received this year. For many of them, those cards meant more than words can say — and for some, it was the only Christmas card they received. The smiles, the stories shared, and the way they carefully read and re‑read each message showed just how much that simple act of kindness meant… your thoughtfulness brightened their Christmas more than you could ever know.” 

For the pupils, the experience was just as meaningful: 

• “I felt happy that I was able to make others smile.” – Year 3 pupil 

• “It taught me about kindness and even if you don't know someone you should still be kind.” – Year 3 pupil 

• “It makes you feel warm and happy, like when you have a lovely hot chocolate.” – Year 3 pupil 

• “It is nice to take care of others who may find things tricky.” – Year 3 pupil 

Brooke Weston Academy 

Year 8 students in English spent the term developing their poetry writing, focusing on capturing the warmth and spirit of Christmas for a real audience. They chose to share their poems with residents at Sandalwood Court, a local care home, turning them into Christmas cards. The cards were both a showcase of their writing and a way of reaching out to people who might not receive much contact. 

Two Year 8 students reflected on what it meant to send their cards: 

• “I felt happy because they do deserve it and it felt nice because I was doing a good deed… People deserve to feel happy and I felt like I am a part of a community.” – Finn 

• “Those people may not have family to visit them on Christmas Day, and the card may make them feel like they have someone who cares. Even if you don’t know that person or have never seen them before, everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect.” – Sky 

Alongside this, sixth form students have been involved in community work through the academy’s IEC programme (Inspiration, Endeavour and Community). Each Year 12 tutor group contributes to a community project designed to develop skills and experiences beyond the academic curriculum. 

This year, a group of students from 12N have been working with Lakelands Hospice in Corby, which provides free palliative and end‑of‑life care and relies entirely on charitable donations. Students visited the hospice weekly to spend time talking with patients, sharing conversations about daily life, past experiences and current affairs. Staff at Lakelands highlighted the students’ maturity, warmth and confidence in how they engaged. 

The group also supported the hospice in practical ways. One student began designing a “Tree of Life” mural for the reception area, featuring leaves commemorating former patients. Others helped prepare materials for fundraising events, including themed coffee mornings and community activities. Together, these elements gave students a clear sense of how their time and skills could support an organisation at the heart of the local community. 

Thrapston Primary School and Hermitage House 

Thrapston Primary School has developed a continuing partnership with Hermitage House Care Home in Thrapston. Over time, this has become a two‑way link, with pupils visiting the home and residents being welcomed into school. 

During visits to Hermitage House, pupils take part in activities including reading to residents and creating opportunities for conversation and shared enjoyment. On other occasions, residents have visited Thrapston Primary for a summer fete, and the children showcased their sporting talents. Residents and pupils have also begun writing letters to one another, becoming pen pals. 

Staff at Hermitage House have noted how much residents look forward to seeing the children and how excited they become during and after the visits. For pupils, this regular contact helps them see older people as part of their wider community, not just guests for a one‑off event. 

These activities reflect the same spirit across all our schools, with Corby Business Academy students also visiting Priors Hall Care Home to share poetry with residents – another example of pupils bringing warmth, creativity and care to those around them. 

Why this matters for Brooke Weston Trust 

Through this work, pupils are discovering that small gestures can make a real difference to others. They are building confidence in speaking with adults beyond their usual circles, developing empathy, patience and listening skills along the way.  

Most importantly, they are beginning to see themselves as active members of their communities, with meaningful roles to play in supporting and caring for others. Brooke Weston Trust will continue to grow these partnerships and look for new ways to integrate contribution into everyday school life.