Mary Sinnott - Founding Director
At present, in our strange and difficult circumstances, one thing we find ourselves with more of is time on our hands. Covid-19 has ‘allowed’ us time for reflection. We, or at least, I am thinking about how, pre Covid-19, I used to spend my days. I am also focussing my attention on what matters most to me in life. Many people will undoubtedly be doing the same and at the top of their lists will be family and friends, as they are on mine. After that the lists may well vary greatly.
Being retired from teaching now, much of my time is usually spent with my family or friends. I also devote some of my week to working on Foundation matters. The Foundation is indeed close to my heart, being founded to continue Steve’s work and build upon his legacy in international development following his sudden death twelve years ago. Steve believed that people working together could bring about change for the benefit of others, and this is what he strived for. Hope and optimism were the driving forces in his life and he held a passionate belief in the power of education to liberate; he viewed education as a fundamental human right. The Foundation seeks to bring likeminded people together to realise these ideals.
In the last few months the distribution of the time I spend with my family and friends has become a little skewed. I am finding isolation and social distancing means I have more time to give to working alongside (virtually speaking of course), Ann, our CEO on Foundation issues. It is a pleasure and a privilege for me, that we are involved in working in partnership with teachers and educators across the globe to help deliver projects that progress the achievement of SDG4 (Sustainable Development Goal 4) – ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. We always work closely with our partners, both here in the UK and in country, to ensure our approach is based on our belief that all the communities we work with already have experience, skills and wisdom. The Foundation respects and works with the local contextual and cultural knowledge of those seeking support. Our approach is never prescriptive or ‘top down’ we work in partnership to facilitate growth and development. We believe our approach will further the realisation of Steve’s passion for:
• every child having access to education
• people having a better understanding of the world around them
• the building of resourceful communities to alleviate poverty.
Our aim therefore, is to develop projects that are fit for purpose, locally owned and managed as well as being replicable and sustainable.
I have always been aware of how significant a role education has had in my life. Indeed, one of my proudest moments was when I vindicated Steve’s belief in me by becoming a teacher. Education opens minds and doors of opportunity, it fosters peace and justice, it promotes fairness and equality and also tolerance and understanding. In reflecting upon what is important in life, education is key. I can only echo the words of Hugh Gaitskill used by Steve that, ‘there are clearly a few things that we can fight, fight and fight again to achieve.’ All of us at the Foundation believe that quality education for all the world’s children must be one.
The Steve Sinnott Foundation • November 17, 2020
Mike Fleetham of Thinking Classroom has written a book " Headlines: Inspiration, humour and advice for school leaders ". A collection of original ideas, advice from professionals, quotes, and tips to support and inspire all leaders. Perfect for new and established leaders working in education, especially headteachers. "Being a headteacher is like looking both ways before you cross the road, and then getting hit by an aeroplane." To Enter the Competition To win a copy of Headlines please share your inspiring education or life lesson in no more than 600 words. The winning article will also be published in our next edition of Engage. Send your words of inspiration to admin@stevesinnottfoundation.org.uk 📅 Deadline: 5th September 2025 Stuck on Ideas? Here are some questions and prompts to get you started! What’s the one lesson school didn’t teach you, but life did? Think of a moment that changed your path, what happened? What piece of advice has helped you grow the most? When did a challenge turn into an opportunity for you? What story from your life would inspire someone on the other side of the world? What’s the life lesson that unlocked your next chapter? Your words could uplift, empower and be seen by many. Let your story inspire the world! 🌍💡 Good luck and we cant wait to read all the entries!
This week our CEO Ann and Jude (SSF Ambassador) visited schools in Coventry and heard about the wonderful work that students are doing to foster peace and community connection, as part of Coventry Arts Week. We visited Lyng Hall school in the morning and met with Ms Hagan and four of the schools UNESCO ASPnet ambassadors. They told us all about their recent project. The students took their art and poetry to the 80th Anniversary symposium in Ypres and Dunkirk. They shared with us some of the poetry they had written together with the students on the field trip and some of their own poems too. They also shared their future plans for working with their local primary school on peace and community. We also had the privilege of joining Ms Hagans class where they were looking at Caliban’s tale. Here is one of the students work
For my birthday this year I had the honour to walk 60 miles (yes it was a big 0 birthday) over 3 days to support the essential work of the Steve Sinnott Foundation of which I am CEO. Education in its many forms is essential for all of us to thrive and make the most of life's opportunities. The Foundation works to ensure that as many children and adults as possible across the globe can access the human right of education. The plan was to walk with friends and supporters who I hoped would keep me smiling along the way and it felt like a good way to make use of the Foundation’s “Get Moving” campaign. Here's how my Get Moving Fundraiser went on the first day. The 13th June I started my walk in London by walking from Barnet to west Hampstead and visiting my sister at her shop at Tree of Life where I got served a nice iced coffee to keep me going.
