Thornton Primary School wins School Star Award for Helping Hands Initiative

Congratulations to Thornton Primary School, proud recipient of the School Star Award in recognition of their outstanding Helping Hands initiative—a compassionate response to the growing number of families facing hardship.

Launched in September 2017, Helping Hands began as a grassroots effort to support families experiencing emergency accommodation, single-parent challenges, and other difficult circumstances. What started as a small donation bank has since flourished into a vital support system for the school community.

Through school-led fundraising and generous contributions from local businesses, the initiative has consistently provided essential aid—from food, toiletries, and clothing hampers to school uniforms, travel support, emergency utilities, household items, bedding, and mobile phones. Every school holiday, families receive hampers, and during festive periods like Christmas, Easter, and summer, children are gifted games and activity packs to brighten their break.

To foster connection and offer discreet support, Thornton Primary hosts monthly coffee mornings—welcoming spaces where parents and carers can enjoy refreshments, meet others, and access help from the Helping Hands team.

The school also partners with local charities including Bearded Bros, St Margaret’s Church, and Ummah Welfare Trust, and works closely with their local Tesco branch, whose community champion regularly donates essential items that families deeply appreciate.

At the heart of Helping Hands is Pastoral Manager Ms Shanti Devi, whose leadership—alongside the Pastoral and Senior Leadership Teams—ensures support is offered swiftly, sensitively, and respectfully. Their proactive approach builds trust and empowers families to seek help with confidence.

Thornton Primary School’s commitment to care, community, and dignity truly shines through this initiative. The School Star Award is a testament to their unwavering dedication to making a difference.