Fostering opportunity for the children and young people of lewisham
The Leathersellers’ Company and Foundation support the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools with its ambitions and vision for education in Lewisham, contributing to the future of the schools through governance and grant funding.
About the Leathersellers' Federation of Schools
The Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools develops the vision of Joseph Prendergast who founded Lewisham’s first girls’ secondary school in 1890, on land gifted by the Leathersellers’ Company. The Federation now provides education for 3,000 pupils, from nursery to Sixth Form.
The Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools consists of:
- Prendergast School
- Prendergast Ladywell School
- Prendergast Primary School (Ladywell)
- Prendergast Vale School
- Prendergast Vale Primary School
- Prendergast Sixth Form
Governance
The Leathersellers’ Company appoints skilled and experienced members and external candidates to governance positions at the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools as:
Members – guardians of the governance and of the vision and values of the trust and hold the Board to account
Trustees (The Board) – the legal entity having collective accountability and responsibility for the academy trust and assuring itself that there is compliance with regulatory, contractual and statutory requirements
Local Governing Board members – advise, support and challenge school leaders and provide a focal point for building strong relationships in the interest of progressing the chances of students.
Learn more about governance at The Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools
Our Support
Both the Company and Foundation are committed to the long-term support of the schools and since 2018 have provided £1.3m to help pupils achieve their potential.
Financial assistance is awarded as both unrestricted and project based to ensure maximum flexibility and measurable impact.
Unrestricted grant funding
“As a head teacher, it’s amazing to have a pot of money that isn’t ring-fenced. It means we can identify the areas of most acute need within the school and buy in the services and support that will have the most impact on our young people.”
Niall Hand, Headteacher of Prendergast Ladywell School
Read more
Scholarship project
“Thanks to the Leathersellers’ funding, we can provide additional support and experiences that make a huge difference to young people’s ability to learn, thrive and achieve their potential.”
Paula Ledger, Executive Headteacher, Leathersellers’ Federation
Read more
Match funding
We also offer schools of the Federation the opportunity to encourage fundraising by their pupils, by having it match-funded by the Leathersellers’ Foundation up to a total of £15,000 each year.
We do this to encourage pupils to engage in fundraising for charities as a key element of their development, recognising their civic responsibility in wider society. The school designates a member of staff each year to lead this endeavour and administer the process, and interested students or parents should contact the school directly.
