Leighton Park’s third ‘Big Sleep Out’ in support of local homelessness charity, Launchpad Reading, was organised this year by four of our Year 11 Global Perspectives students. Fin, Mia, Esha and John wanted to continue LP’s support for Launchpad as part of their GCSE coursework project on homelessness. The Global Perspectives course requires students to research a social issue and to undertake outreach work within the local community and so for the first time our pupils have been able to link the school’s partnership activity more explicitly with the curriculum.
A third year of camping brought a third location for campers, this time on the field near the newly renovated pavilion. Previous locations have included 10 acre field and the Fryer orchard. The four, accompanied by some enthusiastic boarders from Reckitt and School Houses, assembled at around 6.00pm on Saturday 8th October, ready to brave whatever the weather had in store.
Thanks to sleeping bags, blankets and some robust DofE training, everyone survived their night in the fresh air and were able to raise a substantial amount of money for Launchpad. Students and staff alike were reminded of how important basic necessities like warmth, food and shelter are by their camping experience and how crucial it is to support homelessness charities, especially as the nights become colder.
Fin reflected, “I personally feel like the event was lots of fun yet also very upsetting as it made me think that there are people having to put up with the cold every single night. In my mind it was quite challenging but this was only because of the temperature dropping at night.”
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