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Ambition doesn't have a postcode: West Ham United visit William Ford

Ambition doesn't have a postcode: West Ham United Foundation at William Ford

Ambition doesn't have a postcode. That was the message West Ham United Foundation brought to William Ford Church of England Junior School this week, and it is one that sits right at the heart of everything we do.

William Ford was chosen by West Ham United Foundation to launch their campaign inspiring better futures for young people growing up in disadvantaged communities. It was a significant moment for our school, and our children rose to it brilliantly.

Pupils had the opportunity to meet West Ham United players Joel Veltman, Maximilian Kilman and Mads Hermansen, and to design their own t-shirts promoting the Foundation's campaign. Those t-shirts will be worn by the players at the training ground on Friday, before being returned to the children who designed them. It is fair to say that went down extremely well.

The players also spoke to the children about their own careers and, perhaps most valuably, about what they would have done if professional football hadn't worked out. The answers were genuine and varied: author, journalist, PE teacher, architect. These are young men with curiosity, interests and ambitions that stretch beyond the pitch, and hearing that mattered to our children.

Careers education is central to the curriculum at William Ford. We want every child to leave us able to see a future for themselves, whatever that looks like. West Ham United Foundation choosing our school to launch this campaign was a recognition of that work, and we are very grateful to everyone involved for the time, care and inspiration they brought to our school.

Ambition doesn't have a postcode. And neither does potential.