JOIN OUR MISSION
Stay informed with partnership news, team updates, and stories from the young people driving social change.
Co-op Academies Trust and Oasis will each receive £450,000 from Mission 44 and Sky’s ‘Preventing Exclusions Fund’ to pilot and implement innovative approaches to reducing exclusions across their school networks.
Pupils from Gypsy Roma Traveller and Black Caribbean backgrounds have the highest rate of permanent exclusion in England1. The Preventing Exclusions Fund was launched in January 2022 by Mission 44 and Sky to address this issue and transform the lives of young people from underserved communities.
“I’m delighted that Mission 44 will be working with two Multi-Academy Trusts to pilot different initiatives that support vulnerable young learners. We hope this work creates a blueprint for school networks and policymakers to prevent growth in exclusions and ensure we have an education system that works for all young people.”
Launched in 2010, Co-op Academies Trust is made up of 30 Primary, Secondary, College and Special Schools in the Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, Merseyside and West Yorkshire areas. Mission 44’s partnership with Co-op Academies Trust will focus on the Trust’s Gypsy Roma communities and support the development of several initiatives including:
The Oasis charity runs 52 academies spread across five regions in England, providing either Primary, Secondary or All-through education to over 32,000 young people. Mission 44’s partnership with Oasis will focus on students from Black Caribbean backgrounds, supporting them to:
“Preventing school exclusions for those who are disproportionately impacted ensures a fairer education system for all. Sky is a champion for young people, and we are proud to be working with Co-op Academies Trust and Oasis through our partnership with Mission 44 to transform the lives of young people.” – Claudia Osei-Nsafoah, Chief People Officer UK&I at Sky Group
“I couldn’t be more proud of this project and to be working in partnership with Gypsy Roma communities. Our Trust is built on the foundations of creating excellent and positive opportunities through education, and I’m excited to be working with Mission 44 and Sky to create even better experiences for all our students. The impact of this collaboration will be felt by all.” – Chris Tomlinson, CEO of Co-op Academies Trust
“This exciting new partnership between Mission 44 and Oasis will transform the life chances of our students who are most at risk of exclusion from school, exploitation, criminalisation, and harm. Mission 44’s funding will support Oasis with our ground-breaking, innovative, and inclusive approach to working with young people – reducing exclusions, tackling racial disparities, and empowering our students to reach their full potential.” – Steve Chalke, Founder of Oasis
About Mission 44
Mission 44 was founded by Sir Lewis Hamilton to build a fairer, more inclusive future in which every young person can thrive. The foundation supports bold organisations, leaders and ideas to reimagine the future and transform the lives of young people from underserved communities. Through grantmaking, research and advocacy, Mission 44 is focused on building a more inclusive education system, supporting progression into STEM careers and empowering young people to be changemakers.
About Sky
Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies and is part of Comcast Corporation, a global media and technology company that connects people to moments and experiences that matter. At Sky we Believe in Better. It’s in our DNA. We’re famous for innovation. We offer streaming services NOW and WOW; the world’s smartest TV, Sky Glass; and the best aggregation platform, Sky Q. We provide connectivity you can count on in mobile, and fast, secure, reliable residential and business broadband.
We’re Europe’s premium content producer. We create award-winning original content, produce the biggest live sporting events, and we provide free access to news and the arts. We believe that we can have a positive impact on society, by supporting and creating tens of thousands of jobs, addressing digital inequality, being a diverse and inclusive employer, and becoming net zero carbon by 2030.
About Co-op Academies Trust
Co-op Academies Trust has 30 Academies across the north west of England, including primary, secondary, colleges and special schools. Co-op Group is our sponsor and we work together to create opportunities for young people, guided by co-operative values. We believe that at the heart of every community there are schools that offer opportunities for those it serves both in education, outreach and career opportunities. We have 18,920 students in our Trust. We work in West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Stoke, Staffordshire and Merseyside.
About Oasis
Oasis exists to build strong inclusive communities. Established in 1985, Oasis is a community transformation movement in and beyond the UK. We work to end disadvantage and create opportunity for all, providing education, housing, health, justice, youth, and family support in 40 local communities. Oasis charities include Oasis Community Learning (running primary and secondary Academies), Oasis Community Housing, Oasis Stop the Traffik, and the UK’s first Secure School – Oasis Restore.
1. Department for Education (2023), Permanent exclusions and suspensions in England, Summer term 2021/22