Havering AmplifyHavering Amplify is a wellbeing programme in Havering secondary schools. Schools were closed for most of this quarter, yet delivery picked up straight after the summer break, and feedback from students and schools is very positive.
Week beginning · 37 sessions in total
Schools closed from late July until early September, so delivery ran in two windows: the first half of July and the month of September.
Five groups completed the full 10-session programme: the three Brittons Academy groups and two Emerson Park Academy groups. The two Frances Bardsley groups reached 8 of 10 sessions by the end of September and finish in October. Groups part-way through the programme picked up where they left off in September, and four new cohorts started at Emerson Park Academy, The Harris Academy and The Harris 6th Form.
Because most groups finished in late September, the full evaluation for this quarter (end-of-programme surveys and school staff feedback) will be included in the Quarter 3 report. Early feedback is very positive.
Figures are drawn from the Havering Amplify Group Progress Tracker and the end-of-programme student feedback forms collected in September 2026.
Every group works through a 10-session journey across eight themes. Groups resumed in the first weeks of term with the same mentor, which kept continuity and trust across the summer break.
| School and group | July | September |
|---|---|---|
| The Brittons Academy Groups 1, 2 and 3 |
Self-Care & Support Pathways 7 JulVision Boards & Creative Expression (1 of 2) 14 Jul | Vision Boards (2 of 2) 8 SepReflection, Recognition & Next Steps 15 and 22 SepCompleted |
| Emerson Park Academy Thursday group |
Self-Care & Support Pathways 7 JulVision Boards (1 of 2) 16 Jul | Vision Boards (2 of 2) 14 SepReflection, Recognition & Next Steps 21 SepCompleted |
| Emerson Park Academy Group 2 |
Final Reflection, Recognition & Next Steps 6 JulCompleted | Programme finished |
| The Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls Groups 1 and 2 (20 girls) |
Resilience & Growth Mindset 2 JulHealthy Relationships & Boundaries 9 JulSelf-Care & Support Pathways 16 Jul | Vision Boards & Creative Expression 10 and 24 Sep8 of 10 · finishing October |
| The Harris Academy and The Harris 6th Form New cohorts, 10 young people each |
Not yet started | Belonging & Mental Wellbeing 23 SepStress Management & Coping 30 SepNew cohort |
| Emerson Park Academy Two Monday groups, 8 young people each |
Not yet started | Belonging & Mental Wellbeing 28 SepNew cohorts |
A smaller, focused group giving a core of young people a consistent, trusted space to keep building confidence and voice.
The Small Circle has now started.
Its start was delayed from the original plan by exam season and Year 11 students leaving, as reported in Quarter 1. To make up for the late start, it runs two sessions a month.
Young people are compensated for their time, and food is provided at every session. This recognises their contribution and supports regular attendance.
The Small Circle responds directly to the Quarter 1 finding that trust and continuity with a consistent adult are critical to impact.
From end-of-programme forms completed in September 2026. These are early indications only. The full evaluation of all groups completing this quarter will be shared in the Quarter 3 report.
Listed from most to least mentioned. What students enjoyed most: open discussions where they could share opinions without judgement, and the vision board and mood board activities.
I would be having a hard week and I’ll look forward to having a session. The teacher made us all feel so safe and comfortable, he encouraged us to think positive and he just understood us all. It was an amazing opportunity and I can say it did help me get through school.
Year 7 studentI realised that I’m not alone and other people also have the same things to say.
Year 8 studentI enjoyed how I was able to talk about my own opinions, with other people sharing theirs and also agreeing. I feel like having these sessions helped me cope better and it was something that I look forward to all week.
Year 8 studentI liked how much I put my hand up, because I usually don’t in most of my lessons.
Year 8 studentAmplify has made me enjoy school more because I’m aware that someone knows how we feel about most of the things going on in our school.
Year 8 studentGetting to have conversations without any judgement and without the teacher disagreeing with what you say, and [he] actually values our opinions.
Year 7 studentSometimes when things get hard you just have to push through, and that also builds confidence.
Year 8 studentUnderstand yourself and always put yourself first.
Year 8 studentSchools have given very positive feedback on the sessions and on the mentor’s relationship with their students. The Brittons Academy started three new cohorts on 6 October, Emerson Park Academy started two new groups in September, The Harris Academy and The Harris 6th Form have new groups running, and two further Frances Bardsley groups are planned.
Formal staff feedback for groups completing this quarter will be reported in Quarter 3.
Adrian has done a great job of highlighting the important issues young people raise in sessions and making sure their voice reaches schools. Students repeatedly describe him as someone who makes them feel safe, listened to and not judged, which shows the value of a consistent, trusted external mentor.
Young people really enjoyed the vision board workshops at Brittons, Emerson Park and Frances Bardsley this quarter. Vision boards were the most frequently named favourite part of the programme in student feedback.
Photos of the young people’s vision boards have been added to the Youth Unity website, and a fuller selection will be included in the full Quarter 3 report.
A series of Amplify podcasts has been recorded and will be uploaded to the Youth Unity website by early November 2026. Episodes will also be cut into short reels for social media, using positive and constructive youth voice.
Havering Amplify In partnership with London Borough of Havering
A HAVERING AMPLIFYTURNING YOUTH VOICE INTO ACTION Overview
Helping Students Thrive at Brittons Academy Over eight weeks, the
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