Community Relationships

'Where relationships are at the heart of the school, and the school is at the heart of the community'

We have this phrase as our 'strapline' for good reason. The founding vision for the school in this regard has never wavered and we are proud of the ways in which we engage with the local community, and we envisage growing our relationships further still over the coming years.

We want our students to develop a 'community spirit' of kindness and helpfulness towards others, to engage in what is going on around them in Swanage and the local area, to learn from the wonderful array of talented, inspirational local people who offer to speak or mentor them, and to be able to showcase their work around town and beyond so that their own talents are recognised.

Examples of our community links include:

  • primary school outreach where our staff and students offer workshops and events to the younger generation
  • working with local artists and exhibiting during Purbeck Arts Week
  • welcoming a wide variety of inspirational speakers to learn from their expertise and knowledge
  • working with local volunteers who are kind enough to run extra-curricular clubs or who support the school in other ways
  • working with Wave Youth to provide 'walk and talk' sessions and other support for students
  • participating in beach cleans to keep Swanage beach looking pristine, whilst learning about plastic pollution
  • planting trees with the support of Sustainable Swanage, Greening Swanage and Trees for Dorset
  • working with the National Trust to support their project to increase bio-diversity and re-introduce beavers to Studland
  • taking part, over a number of years, in the Dynamic Dunescapes Projecta at Studland Bay
  • welcoming local sponsors for student-led clubs and initiatives, such as our Race Team
  • engagement with The Rotary on projects and competitions
  • working with The Mowlem to put on extraordinary productions for a wide audience
  • stepping in to provide meals to vulnerable members of the community during the pandemic lockdowns
  • manufacturing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for front-line workers during the pandemic
  • presenting shows with Purbeck Coast Radio
  • participating in art projects for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations
  • projects with the Burngate Stone Carving Centre
  • hosting Christmas tea-parties for elderly residents of Swanage
  • Student Council-led pen-pal projects between students and local care home residents during the pandemic lockdowns
  • opening up our facilities to local groups outside school hours

You will increasingly see us showcasing the outcome of student projects and other art and design exhibitions in the local area. Please support our wonderful students by coming along.

Got an idea or want to be involved?

Find out more about the ways to get us involved in your project, or how you might support the school on our Getting Involved page.