Partnerships
We believe that developing and maintaining strong partnerships with local schools, businesses and community organisations enriches the provision for all of our pupils and staff.
We are proud of the partnerships we have cultivated and been committed to over the years, which have strengthened our curriculum offer across many subject areas, including pupil mental health and wellbeing.
St Thomas the Apostle & Sacred Heart
We pride ourselves on our strong Catholic ethos and maintains strong relationships with our Catholic partner schools and sixth form providers. We encourage students to continue their education with an emphasis on a Catholic provision.
Student outcomes are exceptional at both STAC and Sacred Heart, building upon and flourishing the foundations we create at St Matthew Academy. We love to hear our successful alumni come back to us and discuss their sixth form education and look forward to hearing their career pathways upon leaving the sixth form.
Mr Serge Cefai is the Executive Headteacher at St Thomas the Apostle and Headteacher at Sacred Heart. As partner schools, we work collaboratively, working together on out timetables, policies and academic intervention strategies to ensure our educational provision is of the highest standard for our students.
KPMG
Global business KPMG is a leading provider of professional services, including audit, tax and advisory specialisms, and works with St Matthew Academy pupils on an exclusive mentoring scheme.
KMPG in Schools identifies pupils with the potential to progress into higher education and highlight the accessibility of this pathway, regardless of background and starting points. Employees from KMPG work alongside Year 9 and 10 pupils in a mentoring project; supporting their applications for higher education and the development of life skills that will aid this and employability projects to gain an understanding of the knowledge, tools and skills to gain entry to careers and aid in their own sense of employability.
St Matthew Academy is incredibly lucky to benefit from this unique partnership and has been for over 3 years; with pupils having the opportunity to participate in workshops, experience the KMPG Canary Wharf offices, mentoring and breakfasts with top KMPG representatives.
Lewisham Hospital
St Matthew Academy has worked alongside Lewisham Hospital for over three years, as part of our efforts to support local causes and raise money for the Lewisham Hospital Children’s Ward.
Every term, pupils participate in whole academy and House fundraiser activities and visit the hospital to see the outcomes of their hard work and charitable efforts. This year, pupils and our local community supported the Lewisham Hospital cause with:
- Three Peaks Sponsored Challenge: pupils, staff and parents embarked on a trail across three parks in Lewisham
- Primary Summer Fayre: our local community came together to enjoy a BBQ, bouncy castle and fun and games as we raised money and awareness for the cause
We were thrilled to learn that monies raised by St Matthew Academy contributed to the refurbishment of the Children’s Ward Family Room, brightening the space and providing toiletries and refreshments to allow parents stay overnight with their child.
We look forward to continuing our partnership together and supporting Lewisham Hospital in the near future.
SEO Scholars
SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) Scholars help high achieving pupils in Years 11-13 broaden their horizons through access to academic, professional and enrichment opportunities.
The prestigious programme identifies pupils expected to gain high GCSE grades but may require extra support and encourage them to apply for a position; partnering successful applicants with an established organisation in their chosen field including medicine, law and engineering to provide experiences and support in achieving their goals.
Over the 4 years of partnership, pupils who have participated on the programme have progressed on to attend Russell Group universities and as a result of the links built with industries over the course of the programme, received support in achieving careers.
If you would like to find out more about the organisation, the programme and what is in store for this year's Scholars then please visit the website: www.seo-london.org
Chinese Teacher Programme
We are experts at providing Chinese Language and Culture Programmes for Schools. We make sure that all schools – no matter where they are located – have the opportunity to be inspired by Chinese culture across a range of experiences.
At part of our Grammar+ programme at St Matthew Academy, we offer a range of enrichment opportunities for our more able pupils using external organisations.
Grammar + pupils in Year 7 are offered weekly Mandarin lessons that are taught by a Chinese teacher. Lessons allow pupils to speak and write Mandarin as well as learning about Chinese life and culture. This has been such a valuable insight into Chinese culture and language for our pupils.
Bess in Year 8 was overjoyed at this opportunity:
I found the Mandarin lessons very enjoyable, and I am very happy to have had the opportunity to learn Mandarin. I liked that we could be taught by someone whose first language was Mandarin, and that I learnt about the culture of China as well as the language.
These lessons are facilitated by MEG Languages and further details can be found on their website:
