Robert Clack School in Dagenham, one of Europe’s largest secondary schools, is taking bold steps to fundraise and finding innovative ways to give back to its students.
Located in one of the UK’s most deprived areas, Robert Clack School in East London serves around 3,200 students aged 3 to 18 across multiple sites. Despite the socioeconomic hurdles, the proud community school has earned a strong reputation for academic excellence and ambition. Its success in science, mathematics, and computing is particularly notable, with students regularly progressing to top universities, including those in the prestigious Russell Group.
But the school’s ambitions extend far beyond exam results. Senior Assistant Headteacher James Walker and others in the school have been determined in their efforts to improve resources and sustainability across the school’s four Dagenham campuses. With an annual stationary bill of £75,000, Mr. Walker is on a mission to reduce waste by repurposing materials that would otherwise end up in landfill.
His current goal is to provide every Year 7 student with a new scientific calculator, achieved by creatively sourcing donations of other essential items, allowing funds to be redirected for this purpose. Mr. Walker has been reaching out to organisations and companies across the country, seeking donations of office supplies, furniture, and educational resources to support the wider needs of the school. Over the past 6 months, he has used various methods such as Facebook marketplace to source community donations, travelling to collect items as far away as Manchester and Leeds, Brighton, and Wales. James says “It’s been inspiring to see the generosity of organisations across the country donating boxes of paper, lever arch files and office stationery. Through these donations, throughout the country, we as a school have received over £40,000 of equipment, furniture and stationery that otherwise would have been thrown away. By repurposing and displacing the funds we spend on these items, money can be reallocated to further inspire and engage our pupils outside of the curriculum. Not only do we hope to raise funds that enrich more students but improve community links that engage our students in better learning opportunities.”
One such partnership emerged when the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) prepared to move offices. Based in Southend on Sea, the IMA is the UK’s professional body for mathematicians, dedicated to promoting mathematics and its applications for the benefit of society. Whether helping shape public policy through expert advice or inspiring the next generation of mathematicians through education initiatives, the IMA champions the value of mathematics in everyday life.
On hearing Mr. Walker’s story, the IMA who were midway through a move to new premises in the city, stepped in, donating surplus furniture and equipment to support the school’s efforts.
“We’re delighted to have played even a small part in supporting Robert Clack School’s inspiring work,” said a spokesperson for the IMA. “By donating furniture and other items, we have not only helped prevent perfectly usable resources from going to landfill but also advanced our strategic goal of becoming a more sustainable organisation. “
In a time of stretched budgets and growing environmental concerns, Robert Clack School is proving that creativity and community can make a lasting difference, one reused desk at a time.
If you or the company you work for are interested in donating office supplies, paper or stationery to the pupils at Robert Clack, please contact James Walker at jwalker@robertclack.co.uk.
