Evaluation of our projects – a SEN school in The Gambia

Our CEO Ann Beatty is currently visiting our partners and the projects we support in West Africa to assess the impact the Foundations work is having on the provision of accessible education.


The first stop on this tour is The Gambia where Ann had the privilege of visiting the Methodist Special Educational Needs (SEN) School in Banjul. The school has 400+ students who attend the school.


Ann met the headteacher, Lucy, and several of the teachers who had recently attended the three day SEN and gender-based violence training hosted by the Gambia Teachers Union (GTU), which was supported by the Foundation. Ann met with the teachers who shared how beneficial the training was for them and how they have implemented some of the learning in practice at school.


Attendance at the school is excellent overall but they have recently had problems with one of the vehicles that collect the students each day. We are looking into how we may be able to support with this, as if the students do not have transport to attend school, then they just stay at home.


We met teacher Ousman who is deaf and dumb and develops all the learning resources for the school as well as teaching sign language.


The goal is to ensure that students are able to attend mainstream school but depending on the learning needs this is not always possible. Ann told us that in addition to the fantastic programme of education the teachers provided she could really feel the love and the care that the teachers felt for their students.⁠ It was inspiring to meet teachers who have such passion and care for their students despite the complex needs of the children in their care and the challenging environment.


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The following day Ann and the GTU Gender Officer, Janet, spent the day with 20 SSF Young Ambassadors at St Joseph’s School. Headteacher Ms Koker and Ms Silver joined the group for Tai Chi and the ‘Changemakers Speak Out: The School I want to Learn in’ workshop. We also spent time learning about the campaign work that the ambassadors have been involved in and thinking about how they can inspire other young people to become involved to campaign for #EduactionforAll.

 

It was a lovely surprise to meet up with Therese and Fatmatta SSF Young Ambassadors who supported the Send My Friend to School Campaign in 2017⁠. They shared their experience of coming to the U.K. and campaigning for EducationforAll. We also saw some of the creative crafts that the students have been working on together, and shared friendship bracelets as a sign of sisterly solidarity campaigning for #EducationforAll⁠.



These inspiring young women are making a difference in their communities and we are proud to support them!


Steve Sinnott • November 27, 2022

UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

By Ann Beatty • September 25, 2026
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.

Change Starts with a Will: Leave a Legacy That Helps Transform Education

September 7, 2026
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide.  https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.

What happens when creativity, young people, education and community come together?

By Ann Beatty • August 25, 2026
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.