We’re now part of the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme 🎉
Tower Hamlets Education Booster (THEB) has been approved to run the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme, a flagship programme that celebrates outstanding young people aged 11–25 across London and Essex. This means our learners can be recognised for their effort, progress and positive impact — not just for being “the best,” but for doing their best.
Why this matters: winners receive formal recognition (certificate, badge/medallion) and a £300 grant to spend on something that benefits their group or centre — chosen by the young person themselves.
What is the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme?
The scheme recognises young people who go above and beyond — showing resilience, kindness, leadership, teamwork, volunteering, improved attendance/behaviour, or consistent effort. Organisations on the scheme also gain access to an annual package of support funding to help deliver youth activities.
Key features
Ages 11–25 (London & Essex) can be nominated.
Winners decide how to spend a £300 grant for the benefit of their group (not for individual use). Examples: equipment, workshops, club resources, educational visits.
Formal celebration: certificate, badge/medallion, and (subject to availability) an external celebration event.
How it will run at THEB
Nomination windows: We’ll open nominations several times a year across our Idea Store sites (Whitechapel, Poplar, Bow, Watney Market).
Who can nominate: peers, parents/carers, staff, mentors and community partners.
Selection criteria: effort, improvement, resilience, kindness, leadership, service to others, and contribution to the learning community.
Award grant use: winners will choose how to spend their £300 to benefit fellow learners (e.g., science/STEM kits, art materials, sports equipment, revision resources, guest speakers, enrichment trips). We’ll support them to make a plan that helps as many 11–25s as possible.
Benefits for young people
Recognition that builds confidence — being seen and celebrated boosts motivation and pride.
Youth voice & leadership — winners make real spending decisions for their peers.
Skills for life — goal-setting, teamwork, budgeting and project delivery look great on college, sixth form, apprenticeship and job applications.
Community impact — resources and activities chosen by young people for young people.
Benefits for parents & carers
Transparent, inclusive nominations — anyone can put a young person forward.
Focus on effort and improvement — not only top grades.
Clear outcomes — grants purchase tangible resources/experiences that benefit many learners.
Opportunities to get involved — volunteer, chaperone on visits, help with shortlisting and celebration events.
Nominations — opening soon
We’ll publish nomination dates and simple submission instructions on this page and our social channels each term.
How we’ll use the grants at THEB
We’ll co-plan with each winner to invest their £300 in things that benefit the wider group, such as:
Revision books, calculators, science kits and robotics
Art & design materials, sewing/DT resources
Sports equipment and well-being workshops
Guest expert sessions (careers, STEM, entrepreneurship)
Contribution toward an educational visit (where eligible)
Note: Grants must benefit a group of young people and cannot be used for routine running costs or personal items.
Leader Awards (for adults) — powered by young people
Young people can also nominate inspiring adults (21+) for Leader Awards. If selected, our organisation may apply for up to £1,000 to further enhance activities for young people.
FAQ
Who can be nominated?
Any young person aged 11–25 engaged with THEB who shows effort, improvement or positive impact.
How many awards are there?
This varies by organisation size and grant period; the scheme provides a package of support across the year.
What exactly do winners receive?
Recognition (certificate/badge/medallion) and a £300 grant to spend on a group benefit, chosen by the winner and agreed with THEB.
When are winners announced?
We’ll publish nomination windows and celebration dates on our site and social channels each term.
Contact
Questions about nominations or partnership support?
Tower Hamlets Education Booster — www.towerhamletseb.com
| 07848 388800 | info@towerhamletseb.com