The UK faces a school attendance crisis. Since the pandemic, thousands of young people - disproportionately from disadvantaged backgrounds - are missing school not out of choice, but because they lack confidence and don't feel they belong. Without intervention, 180,000 risk leaving school with no job, education or training. The Oppidan Foundation funds mentoring programmes that rebuild confidence, communication skills and a sense of community/belonging that schools could not normally afford.

We fund mentoring programmes in state schools. From programmes training sixth-formers to build trusted relationships with younger pupils during their vulnerable transition years, to trained adults meeting weekly with at-risk primary school children to reduce the likelihood of social care involvement. Every programme we fund must build confidence, communication skills and a sense of belonging: the three things that we believe get young people through the school gates and improve confidence