The Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme is a programme which recognises outstanding young people aged 11-25 across London.  The Achievement Awards are not solely for academic achievement – they may be used to recognise a personal triumph for someone who has shown resilience or faced a challenge, a young person who has pushed themselves outside of their comfort zone or it may be an opportunity to recognise a kind deed. Since the school joined the scheme in 2024, ten of our pupils have been given a Jack Petchey award.

Young people are nominated by all the staff and students at Oak Hill as we want everyone to recognise and celebrate the young people at the school. Each award winner then receives a certificate, pin badge and a book about Sir Jack. They also choose how to spend a £300 grant to benefit their school or organisation. In the Summer the award winners are invited to attend a special ceremony and are presented with a medallion on stage in front of their families, friends and VIPs.

Some of the reasons our award winners were nominated include being kind to others, being a good role model, overcoming adversity and showing resilience and improving attendance and engagement in lessons.

Some of the activities award winners have spent their grants on include The London Eye, London Aquarium, Caribbean lunch with their class, Toca Social, Go Karting, Paintballing, Clay Pigeon Shooting, buying specialist sports equipment, Cinema and pizza, going out for a pancake breakfast and animal visits to the school.