Every June, William Ford pauses its usual curriculum for something different. Every class takes part in Community Month, a chance for pupils to give something back to the people and places around them.

Over the years, this has taken many forms. Pupils have sung to residents at our local care home, played games with them and read to them, building relationships that matter to both generations. They've litter picked in the park, helped improve the local BMX track, and worked alongside rangers in the country park. They've painted the mural outside Dagenham Heathway Underground station and made "do not litter" signs to help keep the park clean. Some have supported parent and toddler groups, helped younger children at nearby schools, or pitched in with cleaning at the local church.

Whatever the project, the message is the same. Our pupils are proud to be part of the Dagenham community, and they want to help make it a better place to live. Community Month gives them the chance to do exactly that, living out our vision of being empowered to make a difference, not in years to come, but right now.