The Faissola Foundation has announced an extension of its strategic partnership with the London Academy of Excellence (LAE), aimed at supporting students from low-income households. This enhanced collaboration will facilitate an annual university-style residency programme for a select group of LAE Faissola Scholars, providing them with unique educational experiences that are often out of reach for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The LAE, situated in Stratford, East London, has gained national recognition for its academic excellence, being ranked as the top state sixth form provider in England and Wales by The Sunday Times Parent Power Survey. Twice rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, the school recently became the first state school globally to be admitted to the World Leading Schools Association, a testament to its exceptional educational standards.
The residency programme, made possible through the Faissola Foundation’s continued support, offers scholars an immersive educational experience akin to university life. Scholars are chosen based on their academic achievements and contextual factors, such as their family’s educational history and household income. The first of these residencies took place at UWC Atlantic College, located at St. Donats Castle in Wales, providing students with a unique learning environment steeped in history and academic tradition. Future programmes are planned to take place in Liguria, Italy, expanding the cultural and educational horizons of the participating students.
Michele Faissola, the founder of the Faissola Foundation, has been a longstanding supporter of the LAE, with the partnership dating back to 2022. The foundation’s involvement has already borne fruit, with the first cohort of LAE Faissola Scholars now studying at prestigious institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, and the London School of Economics & Political Science.
The Faissola Foundation is driven by a mission to tackle inequality stemming from socioeconomic factors, with a particular focus on supporting young people in the UK and Europe. Michele Faissola, whose own parents were educators, emphasised the importance of providing equal opportunities for all children. “Both of my parents were teachers. They taught me that all children can build a foundation for success given the right tools and resources. The Faissola Foundation is happy to support organisations such as the LAE that are devoted to addressing the current crisis in educational inequality,” Faissola said.
The extension of this partnership with the LAE is seen as a crucial step in providing students from low-income backgrounds with opportunities typically reserved for those from more affluent families. The residency programme is designed to equip these students with the skills, experiences, and confidence needed to succeed in higher education and beyond.
Alexander Crossman, Headteacher of the LAE, expressed his enthusiasm for the continued collaboration with the Faissola Foundation. “We are delighted to extend our partnership with the Faissola Foundation to provide ambitious, hard-working young people from low-income homes with the sort of educational opportunities that those from more affluent families take for granted,” he said.
The Faissola Foundation‘s support for the LAE underscores a broader commitment to addressing educational inequality and ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. As the partnership continues to evolve, it promises to open new doors for students who might otherwise be left behind, reinforcing the LAE’s position as a leading institution in the fight for educational equity.