21/02/2026
We are delighted that we have made our first grant of the calendar year 2026 to a new charity we are supporting for the first time School of Hard Knocks
School of Hard Knocks works with young people aged 11 - 16 in secondary schools throughout the UK. The lived experiences of beneficiaries is varied, some may be homeless or living in extreme poverty, and others may be victims of exploitation or abuse. There is no defining characteristic of an SOHK participant, but they all live in complex and challenging circumstances.
They aim to enable participants to find purpose and meaning in their lives and to give them the tools they need to cope with their experiences.
The Advanta Foundation has donated £5,000 towards a project in Westminster City School.
SOHK began working with Westminster City School in 2018.
Although the school sits in central London, none of its pupils live nearby. Due to admissions policy, they travel in from some of the capital’s most disadvantaged boroughs, including Barking & Dagenham, Newham, Peckham, and Norbury.
The needs of these boys are significant;
60% of students we support are eligible for Free School
Meals (FSM)
50% have special educational needs or require external
mental‑health or social‑care support
20% speak English as an additional language, including
refugee pupils
Many also face crime in their communities, unstable
housing, and a lack of positive role models.
Of our 40 boys in Years 8 and 9, over 60% are at risk of
exclusion, and
Last year, six were permanently excluded and moved into
Pupil Referral Units.
Our grant has funded 5 boys into SOHK’s intensive programme: 1:1 mentoring, personal development sessions, and structured rugby delivery. This creates a stable, safe environment where boys can build confidence, regulate their emotions, and start to believe in their future.
We look forward to building a long lasting relationship with this wonderful charity.
