On Wednesday, 12th February, Catch22 was honoured to welcome HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of Catch22, to our Include Suffolk School in Ipswich.
This special visit highlighted the support being delivered at Include Suffolk to learners who have been excluded from mainstream education in achieving positive academic and social outcomes.
The visit was also joined by representatives from National Grid, who work closely with Catch22 and its schools to deliver social mobility and employment programmes.
HRH was greeted by local dignitaries such as the High Sheriff of Suffolk, Yvonne Gilchrist Mason (OBE, DL) and the Mayor of Ipswich, alongside key members of Suffolk County Council.
Include Suffolk’s headteacher, Ms. Daryl Bates, led The Princess Royal on a guided tour showcasing the various activities and programs running at the school. During her visit, HRH met with students and teachers engaged in a variety of activities, including the Eco Warriors project, where pupils creatively learned about recycling by crafting bird feeders from reusable materials. HRH also observed a literacy session focused on building reading skills in younger pupils.
HRH then joined a session hosted by National Grid, where students explored renewable energy and wind power. Representatives from National Grid’s Social Mobility Programme shared insights into their work and introduced students to exciting possibilities in the energy sector.
The visit concluded with an assembly in which students proudly presented artwork crafted from recycled materials under the theme “This is Me”, celebrating their creativity and individuality. HRH also unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the visit which now hangs proudly in the school’s entrance.
Headteacher, Daryl Bates, said:
“Include Suffolk has been on a long improvement journey. I’m proud that this visit has allowed us to showcase to our Patron, The Princess Royal, the fantastic place Include Suffolk is now in, having just received our Ofsted GOOD rating. The visit is testament to the brilliant efforts of our staff and students in building Include Suffolk’s supportive and collaborative learning environment, and we’re pleased this has been royally commemorated!”
At Catch22, we remain committed to creating brighter futures for young people, and we are deeply grateful to HRH for taking the time to celebrate these efforts. We’d also like to extend our thanks to National Grid for their involvement in the visit and ongoing partnership, helping us to inspire the next generation of learners.