Empowering Children at Axe Valley Academy: A Holistic Approach to Overcoming Challenges

At Axe Valley Academy, a significant portion of our students come from disadvantaged backgrounds, with 25% of our children facing economic hardships—much higher than the local average of 16%. This disparity is reflected in their attendance rates, which are notably lower than those of other local schools. Poor attendance not only hampers academic progress but also leads to gaps in knowledge, lower academic achievement, and diminished confidence in students’ abilities. Additionally, frequent absences can isolate students from important social interactions, potentially leading to feelings of loneliness, detachment, and low self-esteem.

Many of the children we work with have complex relationships with food. Mealtimes at home can be stressful, and these children need opportunities to develop healthier relationships with food to eat better and live well. Children with special educational needs (SEN) and emotional challenges often face additional hurdles such as low self-esteem, social isolation, and complicated relationships with food.

Thanks to funding from Devon Community Foundation, Northbrook Community Trust and The Jack Riley Trust, we run group sessions that aim to address these issues by nurturing positive relationships, encouraging culinary exploration, and fostering individualised approaches in a supportive environment. Through these sessions, we empower children to develop crucial life skills. Without targeted intervention, these children encounter significant barriers, and their families often struggle to access necessary support, leaving them feeling overlooked.

Our project aims to empower these children by building confidence through culinary experiences. By introducing them to nutritious meals and fostering confidence in their cooking abilities, we lay the groundwork for their holistic development. Conversely, without such support, their physical and mental well-being may suffer, impacting their long-term prospects.

The impact of this project will resonate for years to come, as participants will:

• Gain increased confidence in their capabilities.
• Adopt a healthier diet, leading to enhanced physical and mental well-being.
• Foster stronger connections with peers, reducing feelings of isolation and nurturing motivation to sustain positive changes in their lives, including improved school attendance.

All the children and young people who will benefit are based in East Devon and enrolled at Axe Valley Academy. They struggle to attend school regularly due to anxiety or other mental health problems, or they are in danger of being excluded from school because of their behaviour. This is usually because they have autistic spectrum disorders or other  learning needs and cannot cope with the structures of school. They often miss school, self-harm, or are excluded from classes due to their behaviour.

By addressing these challenges head-on, we aim to create a supportive and nurturing environment where every child can thrive. Through our project, we hope to make a lasting difference in the lives of these children, helping them build a brighter future.

Once again, thanks to Devon Community Foundation, Northbrook Community Trust and The Jack Riley Trust and Axe Valley Academy for supporting our project and the children benefitting.

For more information about our alternative timetable provision, email info@project-food.org.uk with the subject line ‘Alternative Timetable’