Visit to Beneficiaries 2020

On Wednesday 15 January members of the Brewers' Company Court and the Advisory Committee to the Dame Alice Owen Foundation spent the day visiting beneficiaries of the Foundation, which is the largest charity administered by the Brewers' Company, distributing over £1.7 million per year.

The day began at Dame Alice Owen's School in Potters Bar where a major building project, part funded by the Foundation, was completed last summer. The resulting new teaching block, called the Brewers' Education Centre, is now providing a fantastic environment for staff and students to work and learn in. The visit also provided an opportunity to meet members of the pastoral team who provided an insight into this important aspect of school life. Also included was an impressive musical performance by students and an eye-opening insight into the school's cutting edge use of information technology to enhance learning.

The visit moved on to Islington where the Foundation supports a comprehensive series of educational programmes coordinated by Islington Council. The group first saw Science for Life in action - a project that works with primary school students to open up the world of science to children who might not otherwise consider science and technology as subject of interest or as accessible careers. They then went on to see the work of Music Education Islington, the Guildhall Young Artists: Islington Programme and the Music in Secondary Schools Trust. These three groups are working together to ensure all children and young people in the borough have sustained opportunities to engage in musical learning activities. The visitors even had the opportunity to try a bit of music education themselves (pictured)!

We are very grateful to everyone who contributed to the organisation of this marvellous day, which enabled the Court and Advisory Committee to see the impact of the work of the Foundation and helped to inform their decision making.