
Location of Schools“Although there are many outside-of-school programs, Temple Freedom Prize Judge, 2007 We now run eighteen Civitas Schools in London, West Yorkshire, Birmingham, Norfolk and County Durham, catering for 400 children. Further schools will be opening in 2009. Our classes take place in the heart of communities – in church halls, schools and community centres.
Birmingham Saturday School
Birmingham Saturday School2pm–5pm, Sparkbrook Community Centre The Birmingham Saturday School opened in July 2007. It is our largest school, with seven teachers working with 55 children each week. The classes are run by Tony Jones, a retired deputy-head, who is extremely passionate about teaching maths using traditional methods. Most of the pupils have been with us since the classes opened, and they are making excellent academic progress. One seven year old boy is now working at the level appropriate for sixteen year olds in most topics, as shown by his InCAS test results! As well as the weekly lessons, the children have had outings to Blakesley Hall, Hatton Country World and the Hippodrome.
Bradford Saturday Schools 10am–1pm, Laisterdyke College, Bradford In July 2007 we were approached by members of the Hindu Cultural Society of Bradford who had heard about the good results at our Civitas Schools in London. They were eager for their children to have similar classes in maths and English. We were keen to expand the programme in Yorkshire and started the Bradford Saturday School in November 2007. After requests from parents, we now hold separate classes for secondary aged children.
Camberwell Evening Lessons5pm–7pm, Cambridge House, Camberwell In September 2007 we started after-school lessons at Cambridge House in Camberwell. The majority of the children are working at a very high level so we’re able to introduce them to topics they haven’t yet covered in their full-time schools. The children who require extra help work with a support teacher until they reach a level where they are able to join the main group.
David Copperfield Saturday School10am–1pm, The Priory Centre, Great Yarmouth We were able to open the Great Yarmouth Saturday School in April 2008 due to the support of Theodore Agnew. In February 2009, Viscountess Knollys, High Sheriff of Norfolk, came to re-name the classes the ‘David Copperfield School’ as the novel is partly set in the town. The children gave a wonderful presentation of an extract of the book. Viscountess Knollys naming the David Copperfield School
Hammersmith Saturday School11am–2pm, Queen Caroline Community Centre, Hammersmith In January 2007 we opened a Saturday school on the Queen Caroline Estate in Hammersmith. Ruth Phillip, a resident on the estate, had been trying for some time to start a Saturday school for local children. When we started the classes the majority of the children were struggling at school and at risk of becoming disillusioned with education. We now have four teachers at the classes to provide as much support as possible and the progress in the past year has been immense.
Keighley Saturday School10am–1pm, St Anne’s School, Keighley We were approached in August 2006 by Lee Craven, a business man from Bingley who was concerned with the poor educational results in Keighley, West Yorkshire. There is racial tension in the town and it is no coincidence that the leader of the BNP chose to stand in Keighley at the last election. We believe that if all young people are educated in a way that will help them get on in life, these bitter social conflicts can be reduced. The Keighley Saturday School opened in January 2007 and now teaches 40 children each week.
Kilburn Saturday School11am–2pm and 2pm–5pm, Cotleigh Road, Kilburn The first Kilburn Saturday School opened in December 2007. The older group recently took an outing to Dr Johnson’s House in Fleet Street, where they viewed first editions of Johnson’s Dictionary and talked about life in Georgian England. The second school in Kilburn opened in September 2009 due to immense demand for places.
King’s Cross Saturday School12pm–3pm, York Way Court Community Centre, Islington As word of the success of the Sanaton Saturday School spread in the Bangladeshi community, we were asked to open a similar school for children living on a housing estate near King's Cross station. Classes began in January 2005, in association with the Thornhill Neighbourhood Project. We have a long waiting list, as well as requests from parents for us to start a class for secondary-age children.
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