Why Kingsmead Believes Every Child Deserves a TKN Mentor

At The Kids Network, our partnerships with schools are built on trust, consistency and a shared belief that children thrive when they are given the chance to explore and feel truly heard. Kingsmead Primary School in Hackney is one of our longest-standing partners, They are also part of the LEAP Federation and currently all 4 schools are working with us. Kingsmead Primary were the first school in the borough to work with us, and for more than 6 years, our relationship has grown into something deeply collaborative and impactful.

From the beginning, Kingsmead recognised how many of their pupils could benefit from 1:1 support beyond the classroom. Being situated in a vibrant but economically challenged part of Hackney, the school wanted to open up opportunities that children may not otherwise have access to.

When we asked Emma, the Communications and Community Liaison at LEAP and based at Kingsmead, why they continue to work with TKN she reflected, “It was clear from the start that The Kids Network had the interests of the children that we referred as their priority. Over the years we’ve found them to be adaptable and responsive, and they’ve shown how much they value building a relationship with the same school.”

What Kingsmead values most about the mentoring programme is how child-led it is. With a small monthly activity budget, children are encouraged to plan their sessions, make decisions and explore new experiences with their mentor. For many families facing financial pressures, this creates moments that simply would not be possible otherwise.

Children discover new hobbies, try first-time experiences and learn how to navigate real-world moments, whether that is ordering a drink on their own, choosing a new place to visit or budgeting for an activity. These small steps add up to something much bigger – confidence, independence and a growing sense of ownership over their own lives.

Emma at Kingsmead puts it beautifully:
“We’ve also seen children develop both in their maturity and their sense of what the wider world can offer them.”

This aligns so closely with our mission at TKN to help Little Londoners feel that this city is theirs to explore and enjoy.

The year-long structure of our programme is another reason Kingsmead continues to renew the partnership. With time relationships deepen, and children feel increasingly secure with their mentor.

The school shared that the most transformative part is “the deeply trusting and supportive friendship” that develops. Many children at Kingsmead and across the federation are growing up with significant pressures at home, and having someone who shows up consistently, listens and encourages them can make an enormous difference.

Teachers notice the impact in the classroom too. Children who were once quiet now have a desire and ability to speak in class. Pupils who struggle with confidence are now bolder and have a greater sense of their own capabilities. Across the board, children begin to understand that the world is bigger than they realised, and more importantly that there is a place for them within it.

Teachers across the Federation have also found mentoring incredibly valuable for Year 6 pupils preparing for the move to secondary school. For children feeling anxious about the transition, having a mentor support them and, in some cases, continue into the start of Year 7 provides a stabilising bridge during a time of uncertainty.

After 6 years of partnership, Kingsmead’s message to other schools is full of faith in us:
“We really wish we could refer all the children at our school to The Kids Network. Every child we’ve referred has gained from the experience.”

We are incredibly proud to work alongside Kingsmead Primary School and the wider LEAP Federation. Their commitment to their pupils, paired with our commitment to child-led connection, has created a partnership that helps children build confidence, independence and joy.

Together, we are showing Little Londoners that the world around them is theirs to step into and that they deserve to move through it with curiosity, courage and pride.

If your school is interested in partnering with The Kids Network, we would love to hear from you. Drop our Schools Partnerships Lead Priya a message.

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