Habs Partnerships Programme
We work with a network of five local state partner schools to run 52 hours of curriculum support and enhancement sessions every week, with a focus on increasing the capacity of disadvantaged students.
It is a very exciting moment for the Partnerships Programme at Habs — it has become one of the things we are most proud of, and forms a crucial part of the unique offering of a Habs education.
Our mission at Habs is to enable our students to have a profound impact in the world. Our partnerships work takes this instruction literally — every single week, as part of a programme which trains, guides and supports them, we put our students into the wider world and enable them to have a profound impact.
Partnerships sessions are led by our brilliant team of 371 Habs students in Years 10 to 13, as well as dozens of members of staff. 1400 partner school students come to Habs to learn – or have Habs come to them – every week, building their skills in Maths, English, Science, swimming, modern languages, art, outdoor education, robotics, and a host of other subjects.
Joshua Plotkin DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS
For Habs students, partnerships work is part of their life at school, not volunteering or community service. They lead our partnerships work not out of some misplaced sense of altruism or charity; they are keenly aware of how much they benefit. Through working on the programme, our students build the resilience, leadership and communication skills they need to thrive in the modern world; in doing so, they also provide crucial learning opportunities for the partner school students they work with.
For Habs students, partnerships work is part of their life at school, not volunteering or community service.
Joshua Plotkin, Director of Partnerships, Habs Elstree
Our students also love and value the work for its own sake — for the genuine, lasting, trusting relationships they build with partner school students; for the difference they so clearly make in their week; for the extraordinary learning opportunities they provide. The voices captured in this report provide a snapshot of the benefits our partnerships work delivers for both the Habs community and the wider community alike.
Joshua Plotkin Director of Partnerships
PARTNERSHIPS AT HABS
How Wood — Swimming, Science, Maths support, Reading and Robotics.
Fair Field — Reading, Maths, English Enrichment, Music, Wall Climbing, Swimming and six after-school clubs— Music x 2, Art, D&T, Debating and Drama.
Cowley Hill — English & Maths Enrichment, Reading, Science, Art, Swimming, French and three afterschool clubs— Friday Unwind Mindfulness, Explorers’ Club and Creative Writing.
Monksmead — Science, Spanish, Music, Fencing, Swimming, Maths support, Sign Language and three after-school clubs — Board Games, World Languages and Art & Mindfulness.
London Academy — Maths support, Swimming, Outdoor Education, Sport, English & Maths Enrichment, French and four after-school clubs — Science, D&T, Book Club and Drama.
Partnerships in Numbers
69,000
hours in total spent working in Partnerships
52 hours per week of co-curricular, academic and enrichment sessions
56 Habs staff involved every week
371 Habs students involved every week
1400 Partner school students involved
10.1%
The improvement in school attendance among disadvantaged students involved in the programme – equivalent to one extra full day of school every two weeks
Impact of Partnerships on Habs Students
98.7% think that Partnerships sessions had an impact on improving their communication skills
94.8% thought that Partnerships had a positive impact on improving their resilience
92.1% believe Partnerships sessions have had a positive impact on their confidence
100 % of Habs students consider that Partnerships sessions have a positive impact on partner school students
Cowley Hill Primary School
Every week, 65 Habs students lead Partnerships sessions that range from the delivery of the core Science curriculum for Year 6 to three popular after-school clubs. Teachers from both schools highlight the enthusiasm and joy of students from their schools in these sessions, and the special bonds they form.
Partnerships has greatly helped me gain confidence because I need to take control of sessions and act as a leader.
Ella (L6 MS), Habs Girls student, Reading Partnerships
The partner school students are more confident, more lively and more willing to engage in lessons. They are so happy when we arrive!
Euan (SFM2), Habs Boys student, French Partnerships
The partnership work allows our students to engage in a broad and diverse experience which deepens their cultural capital and raises their aspirations. The Habs students realise that their impact is having a lasting effect on what our children believe they can do. Partnerships also extend to the staff, both those who lead and those who learn, leading to a richer experience for all.
Collaborating with Cowley Hill School has been such a rewarding experience. Working with younger students has allowed me to explore new approaches in my teaching, which I’ve really enjoyed.
Victoria
McMillian,
Head of Art and Design, Habs Boys
Louise Thomas, Headteacher, Cowley Hill Primary School
Fair Field Junior School
A highlight of the Partnerships week is welcoming 90 Fair Field students onsite for Friday Afternoon Clubs. Six different clubs –Art, DT, Drama, Public Speaking, Rock Band and Digital Music Making - are run by 60 Habs students and six teachers. During the week, there are enrichment sessions for swimming, wall-climbing, English, Maths, reading, and music.
It’s really fulfilling to know that my efforts are making a difference, and it has shown me what I’m capable of achieving. This experience has helped me believe more in myself and in the positive impact I can have on others.
Sahil (SFC3) Habs Boys student Reading Partnerships
The Habs students come together in a remarkable way, often overcoming nerves and inhibitions to deliver a carefully planned and richly diverse set of activities. Fair Field pupils depart with a deep sense of pride and a beautiful piece of artwork, but more importantly a sense of belonging to a community that cares.
Lizzie Hall, Head of Art, Habs Boys
The variety of opportunities we have available has had such a positive impact on each child. For some it has led to improved confidence and self-esteem, and for others helped them find new passions.
Davinia Leggett, Headteacher, Fair Field School
I will talk about it in my university applications because the experience has impacted the way I think.
Anvita (L6 MO), Habs Girls student, Maths Partnerships
How Wood Primary School
Each Monday is Habs Partnerships Afternoon at How Wood. All Key Stage 2 students are involved in sessions led by Habs staff and Lower 6 students as part of the Electives programme. Sessions include Swimming, Reading, Maths support, Science and Robotics.
The swimming programme is mutually beneficial! For the partner school students, it fosters essential swimming skills. Simultaneously, the Habs students have an invaluable opportunity to develop their communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills whilst cultivating their sense of responsibility and empathy.
Claire Gibson and Catherine Prendergast, PE Teachers, Habs Girls Junior
It has deepened my appreciation for the importance of giving back to the community, making a positive difference and the value of collaboration and mutual learning.
Ishan (SFH3) Habs Boys student, Robotics Partnerships
Our collaboration enhances so many areas of the curriculum enriching the children's learning. Science lessons give our pupils the opportunity to use secondary school equipment — this is a perfect way to prepare them for their journey ahead.
Naomi Parkins, Co-Head Teacher, How Wood Primary School
London Academy
The relationship with London Academy continues to flourish. Weekly reward sessions in Outdoor Education, Sport and Swimming are complemented by enrichment sessions for Year 6 students working towards Greater Depth in English and Maths, as well as after-school Science and Technology clubs and Drama and Reading sessions. Older students also participated in a Debating workshop led by an Old Haberdasher.
Partnerships has helped me gain confidence as I have to take the initiative to decide what would be the most impactful way to teach topics.
Kiara (L6 PW), Habs Girls student, Maths Partnerships
I love the concept of partnerships as both parties benefit so much. I have developed my leadership and communication skills and have grown massively as a person.
Lewis (SFC2), Habs Boys student, Swimming & Sport Partnerships
It is heartwarming to see their excitement and creativity come alive.
Mridima Raj, Teacher, London Academy
It was clear the pupils were experiencing something that they had never done before.
James Oliver, Teacher of Design & Technology, Habs Girls
Working in partnership with Habs has afforded our students experiences that would not have otherwise been possible.
Phillip Campbell, Associate Principal, London Academy
London Academy students meeting British astronaut Tim Peake at Habs.
Monksmead School
There are nine weekly sessions involving Monksmead and Habs students, covering the curriculum areas of Maths, Swimming, Languages, Science and Music as well as co-curricular clubs exploring world languages, mindfulness and board games.
Participating in this programme has significantly enhanced my self-confidence and helped me understand my abilities. I’m aware of how much I can accomplish when I have faith in myself.
Aarav (SFH3), Habs Boys student, Science Partnerships
The students thoroughly enjoy using the musical instruments and working with our dedicated team of sixth formers who have been leading the sessions.
Peter Martin-Brown, Teacher of Music, Habs Boys
The children absolutely love the learning opportunities provided by Habs and it is something they look forward to each week.
Eustacia Randles, Year
5 Teacher, Monksmead
School
Case Study 1 — How Wood
YEAR 5 SCIENCE
This is an example of how Habs Partnerships supports the curriculum delivery of a core subject in one of the Partnerships schools.
Each week, Year 5 students from How Wood come to Habs to study their usual science curriculum— but the difference is that they are led by a Habs specialist science teacher and eight trained sixth-form students, in an environment where they can perform experiments to support their learning.
Being part of Partnerships has made me realise that I may want to go into a career where I can interact with children and help them in some sort of way. I really enjoy working with kids and hope to do this in the future.
Mia (L6 KP), Habs Girls student, Science Partnerships
This is one of my favourite points of the week! First the Year 12 Partnerships Mentors arrive and then the How Wood students and their lovely teachers stream in.
The Year 5s can’t wait to get stuck into a discussion, offering amazing examples from their everyday lives and analogies to explain complex scientific phenomena and then… the practical starts!
Each pod in the lab is a little hub of positive energy as they plan and carry out an experiment; the calm, capable Sixth Formers interject with the most incredible prompts, with plenty of opportunities for challenge, fun, and creativity; all underpinned by the deepest mutual respect and kindness.
Rebecca Lane, Biology Teacher, Habs Girls
As a new student who just joined Habs, it seemed impossible for me to do something like this, that had loads of responsibilities. But when I did it, I thought to myself that I can do new things.
Zahra Mahdi (L6 HR), Habs Girls, Science Partnerships
It’s a joy to witness the excitement and enthusiasm from the children when carrying out practical experiments using resources they wouldn’t normally have access to.
Lisa Warner, Year 5 Teacher, How Wood School
Case Study 2 London Academy
YEAR 6 OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Each week Year 6 students at London Academy are rewarded for their academic and behavioural profile and are given the opportunity to come to Habs to take part in either swimming, multi-sports or outdoor education.
The outdoor education group build fires, toast marshmallows, hunt for treasure, and learn different bushcraft skills in small group sessions led by an expert Habs teacher and two experienced sixth form students.
100% of London Academy students thought they had learnt something new, had been challenged and had fun in these sessions!
77% believed that their academic work had improved because of this opportunity! Students recognised that the skills of collaboration, problem-solving and being creative had been developed through these sessions.
This reward initiative encourages students to become better learners and promotes positive behaviour. The excitement of participating in these activities motivates children to come to school each day, fostering engagement and a sense of community.
Manija Ahmadi, Year 6 Teacher, London Academy
I valued sharing my outdoor education experience skills! I think that it has improved my leadership skills, especially leading young children to managing risk.
Miranda (U6 MO), Habs Girls student, Outdoor Education Mentor
Outdoor Partnerships with London Academy is the highlight of my week. The London Academy students gain so much from these activities, with their enthusiasm evident the moment I hear an "oggy oggy oggy" echo across the bushcraft area!
James Teague, Outdoor Education Lead, Habs Boys
I value spending time with the children, it has improved my resilience skills as it has shown me that even when everything doesn't go to plan, we're still able to make sure the kids have fun!
Ella (U6 BP), Habs Girls student, Outdoor Education Mentor
Looking Ahead
WD6 EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP
This report makes clear what a visible difference our partnerships work with schools is making both to our local community and to the Habs community. We have now been fortunate enough to attract donations from current and former parents and OHs for an ambitious expansion of this work.
The next phase of the programme, fully funded by these donors, aims to have a wider impact on educational disadvantage in Hertsmere. We currently work exclusively in and with our five partner schools, but we will now go beyond the school gates to build a community hub to serve the young people in our community outside of school as well as inside: outside of school hours; outside of the school curriculum; outside of school premises.
This work will offer wider educational opportunities to children, teenagers, and their parents and families. Of course, in this we are responding to the moral imperative to address the lack of opportunity for children and their families not lucky enough to be part of the Habs community.
However, as with the work we do with our partner schools, we will also offer opportunities for Habs students and their families to build their leadership qualities, resilience, and – perhaps most importantly – their relationships and sense of community.
To deliver this work we are building a coalition of partner schools, civic institutions and local leaders and residents, including Habs parents and alumni. Please get in touch if you would like to be involved!
Joshua Plotkin Director of Partnerships, Haberdashers’ Elstree
Habs Giving Day
Habs Giving Day took place on 1-2 April 2025. All funds raised this year went to help current Habs families. To see the results and photos from the day, or to make a late gift, visit habs.givingday.co.uk