Key Points
- Four schools in East London—Lathom Junior School, Stoneydown Park Primary School, Hague Primary School, and Mayflower Primary School—have each received a £5,000 Golden Grant courtesy of Tesco’s Stronger Starts programme.
- The winners were chosen by Tesco customers participating in a special lucky dip, featuring a golden voting token at selected stores including Green Gate Barking Road Express, Leyton Express, London St Katharine Express, and Poplar High Street Express.
- The initiative awarded over £500,000 nationwide to more than one hundred schools in a single event held on September 6.
- Grants are aimed at enhancing school environments, supporting wellbeing, and funding activities that benefit children’s development and learning.
- Headteachers, Tesco store managers, and programme leaders praised the scheme for its tangible impact and community involvement.
Why did Tesco launch the Golden Grant event?
Tesco’s Golden Grant event forms part of its ongoing Stronger Starts programme, launched in 2016 with the express intent to support young people and local communities by providing funding directly to schools and children’s groups. The company aimed to make substantial contributions to children’s wellbeing, recognising the vital importance of healthy environments and enriched opportunities in fostering a positive start to education.
Claire De Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco, stated to the London Post,
“We are incredibly proud to award Golden Grants to over one hundred schools, supporting the vital work they do for our children and communities. Since we launched our grants programme in 2016, more than £120 million has been given to more than 67,000 local schools and community groups”.
How were schools selected for the £5,000 Golden Grant?
The selection process was designed to engage local communities directly through an in-store event where customers had the chance to find a golden version of Tesco’s familiar blue voting token. Upon discovery, the lucky customer could choose one of three nominated local schools to receive the grant. This approach not only encouraged public involvement but also brought schools and families together in a celebratory atmosphere.
Green Gate Barking Road Express store manager Sma Siddikee told London Post,
“We are delighted to see Lathom Junior School and the other schools in the area awarded £5,000 through our Stronger Starts Golden Grants draw. The event was a great opportunity for our customers to learn more about the three local schools in the Stronger Starts voting round”.
What do the recipients say about the impact of the grant?
Alison Goodliffe, Headteacher at Hague Primary School, expressed gratitude in a statement to London Post, remarking,
“We are so grateful to Tesco and their customers for choosing us to receive this generous grant. It will make such a difference to our children’s experience… Children’s wellbeing has such an impact on their capacity to learn and thrive, and we will now get to work in using this grant to help our children get as good a start in life as we can give them”.
Amena Begum, School Business Manager at Mayflower Primary School, added,
“We’re incredibly thankful to Tesco and everyone who supported us through this scheme. This grant will allow us to enhance our school environment and provide even more enriching opportunities for our pupils. It’s a real boost to our efforts in giving every child the best possible foundation for their future”.
Why is the Stronger Starts programme significant?
Stronger Starts is Tesco’s flagship community initiative, awarding over £120 million to more than 67,000 local schools and groups since inception. The grants specifically aim to create healthier, more supportive educational environments by funding breakfast clubs, nutritious snacks, equipment for physical activities, and resources for holistic wellbeing.
According to Tesco Community Grants, the scheme encourages collaboration and discussion within school communities, allowing families to participate actively and guiding them towards resources most beneficial for children’s overall wellbeing.
What does the broader community have to say?
The Golden Grant event saw participation from 107 Tesco stores nationwide, with community engagement and awareness being central themes throughout. As store manager Sma Siddikee emphasised,
“Thank you to all our customers who took part in the draw and congratulations to Lathom Junior School for winning this one-off £5,000 grant from our voting pool”.
Grant events like these support Tesco’s ongoing commitment to making a positive impact in local neighbourhoods, allowing schools to better support children as they progress in their academic journey.
How will the grant be spent by the schools?
Recipient schools intend to use the funding for projects aimed at improving the wellbeing and educational prospects of their pupils. Common plans include developing outdoor spaces, funding extra-curricular activities, supporting nutritional programmes, and investing in equipment and supplies that make educational environments safer, healthier, and more enjoyable.
How does the local community participate in future Golden Grant events?
Community participation remains a cornerstone of Tesco’s Stronger Starts initiative. Residents are encouraged to stay engaged by voting with their blue tokens during each grant round, interacting with local schools and supporting ongoing applications for future events. Information about applying and voting for grants can be found in-store and via Tesco’s Stronger Starts programme.
What is the significance for East London’s education sector?
The receipt of the Golden Grants highlights the crucial role of community-corporate partnerships in supporting local education. For the four East London schools, the grants promise not just immediate financial benefit, but also wider recognition and support across their communities moving forward.
Will Tesco continue the Stronger Starts Golden Grants scheme?
Tesco has signalled a clear intention to continue supporting local schools and community groups through sustained grant funding and nationwide events. The programme is set to remain a fixture in Tesco’s broader strategy for local investment and educational empowerment.
What are the next steps for grant recipients?
Schools will begin implementing their planned projects using the awarded funds, seeking to update facilities and enhance pupil experiences as the new academic year unfolds. Ongoing collaboration between schools, parents, and Tesco stores is anticipated to further strengthen ties within the local community.
Who are the key figures behind the programme?
- Claire De Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco
- Store managers such as Sma Siddikee, Green Gate Barking Road Express
- School leadership representatives, including Alison Goodliffe, Hague Primary School, and Amena Begum, Mayflower Primary School
Each has played a pivotal role in driving the Golden Grant initiative and ensuring its successful delivery in East London.
