St Laurence CE Junior Academy has welcomed Francis Osei-Appiah, founder of Reform Restore Respect, to speak with Year 6 pupils. The visit was part of an ongoing effort to educate, encourage, inspire and transform the lives of young people who are vulnerable.
Reform Restore Respect, established by Mr. Osei-Appiah, aims to be “part of the solution” to safer communities by “joining hands” with various professionals, including school teachers, social workers, youth offending teams, probation officers, police officers, youth workers, prison officers, and other organisations within the third sector. The programme’s commitment to positive change is strongly supported and endorsed by Kent Police.
During the visit, Mr Osei-Appiah shared his inspiring journey and the mission of his organisation, engaging students with stories and discussions that highlighted the importance of making positive choices and the impact of their actions on their communities. The interactive session was met with enthusiasm from both students and staff, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges some young people face and the support available to them.
Mrs Mountjoy, SENCo at St Laurence CE Junior Academy, said: “We are incredibly grateful to have had Francis join us. His work with Reform Restore Respect is invaluable, and his message deeply resonated with our Year 6 pupils. This visit has undoubtedly inspired them to think more critically about their choices and the importance of community support. We look forward to continuing our partnership with such a remarkable programme.”
Year 6 student Darcie said: “The assembly was a real eye opener.” Roseline in the same class, felt she’d learnt that “people shouldn’t break the rules and people should not involve themselves in crime.”