Tim Henman opens former school’s gates to inner-city children
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Tennis star Tim Henman is teaming up with his old school to offer world-class music, sports and academic experiences to children from inner-city state schools.
The country’s first Tim Henman Foundation ACE Centre will launch today at leading private school, Reed’s School in Cobham, Surrey, where the former World No.4 gained a scholarship and began his journey to become Britain’s No.1 tennis player.
The Ace Centre will work with partners including Chelsea FC, Harlequins FC rugby club and Surrey County Cricket Club, providing expert coaching for children from state schools in Surrey and London.
Children from schools in disadvantaged areas will also benefit from the delivery of music activities through organisations like the Orpheus Foundation – the home of one of the country’s leading youth orchestras – and through the support of leading musicians like world-renowned cellist Robert Cohen.
Tim Henman OBE said: “I benefitted greatly from the opportunities offered at my former school – and now I want to extend these experiences to more children from all backgrounds.
“Reed’s School, given its heritage of helping over 12,000 disadvantaged children through bursaries since 1813, is the perfect school for me to launch my first Tim Henman Foundation Ace Centre furthering the immense impact we can have on many lives.
“My experience on and off the tennis court has taught me the importance of character-building experiences. My new ACE Centre launched today will offer world-class music, sports and academic opportunities to thousands of children.”
Schools Minister Lord Nash said: “As part of our drive to spread educational excellence everywhere we want to see more leading private schools opening their gates to pupils from surrounding state schools.
“I am delighted to see Tim Henman go back to school to team up with leading sports clubs, orchestras and educational bodies to inspire disadvantaged children from surrounding schools to fulfil their vast potential.”
Mark Hoskins, Headmaster of Reed’s School, added: “I am delighted that a leading former pupil of ours is recognising how the opportunities he enjoyed can have on transforming a child’s life.
“We want all to have the chance to success at the highest level and to be inspired by the opportunities that Reed’s School and its Foundation offers.”
The Tim Henman Foundation seeks to give the most disadvantaged children the opportunities usually only accessible to the most privileged in society. It is pioneering a model of schools collaboration to link business, education, charity and sports organisations in enriching young lives.
The Ace Centre launched today will be the first of many partnerships between schools and organisations across the country, eventually helping thousands of young people transform their lives.
