Pupil Voices Matter: How Pupil Views are Shaping Stronger Business and Community Links in Great Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth Charter Academy has teamed up with The Vault, a gaming lounge located on Kings Street in Great Yarmouth, to provide a safe space for pupils to explore their interests in traditional and online gaming.

The collaboration was initiated by the pupils themselves through the student council and a pupil voice event, which gained over 700 views about hobbies and interests that the school could offer to support in the future. The pupils widely expressed a need for more safe spaces in the town where they could develop their interests in gaming.

As part of the partnership, the school provides pupils with free tickets to The Vault on Friday afternoons as a reward for their attendance and behaviour. This initiative has been very well received by pupils, who are thrilled to have a space where they can hang out with friends and play their favourite games.

The school is committed to broadening its free enrichment offer for pupils and to rewarding them for great attendance. The collaboration with The Vault is just one example of how the school is working to provide its pupils with a rich and fulfilling educational experience. With close to 500 pupils taking part in a varied enrichment programme each week- this was a great addition to the local offer.

According to Anya, a year 7 pupil who were involved in the experience,

"The Vault is a really cool place where I can hang out with my friends and play games. It's great that the school has allowed us to have free tickets, as it can be expensive to go every week. Now I can bring a friend with me and we can use the lounge after school".

Sean Powell, Senior Vice Principal at Great Yarmouth Charter Academy, is always looking to improve pupils' experience by taking their views into account. "We are thrilled to be working with The Vault on this initiative," he said. "It's a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to explore their interests in gaming in a safe and supportive environment." The project, which lasts throughout March and April, is in partnership with MAP, a local youth organisation who supports the group with being on hand with their youth team to tackle any concerns or worries whilst using the venue.

Overall, the collaboration between Great Yarmouth Charter Academy and The Vault is a shining example of how schools can work with local businesses and charities to provide pupils with unique and enriching educational experience.