Spring Update 2026 from Ali Henderson – RNCSF CEO
>150 new starters have confirmed offers to start in schools this September
It is fantastic to be able to continue to count on the support of so many schools that, despite the challenges presented by rising costs and the VAT policy, have remained in stalwart support of our work. More than 150 SpringBoarders will start in new placements this September. This includes several SpringBoarders starting in placements in new schools – we welcome Ashfold, Birkenhead, Churchers, Edgbaston High, Embley, Grammar School at Leeds, Habs Monmouth, KES Bath, KES Birmingham, Leicester Grammar School, Manchester High School, Nottingham High School, Plymouth College, Queen’s College, St John’s Leatherhead, Sidcot. Sutton Valence, Stockport Grammar, Westminster and Wisbech Grammar School - to the network.
Our first SpringForward Impact Report– published last month - marks an important milestone and provides compelling evidence of the impact that tailored independent school-teacher led mentoring can play in supporting care-experienced young people into higher education. Since 2021, 200+ young people have been supported by experienced mentors, with 76% securing university offers (a proportion that is 7x higher than the very low national average of fewer than 13% of care leavers progressing to higher education). The report shows that participants are 3x more likely to submit a UCAS application, and 100% report increased confidence in navigating university pathways.
SpringForward provides care leavers with tailored, one-to-one online mentoring to address persistent gaps in their access to higher education guidance. It offers independent schools with an easily accessible volunteer engagement programme for staff. The Impact Report provides the evidence to support our ability to fundraise to meet RNCSF’s coordination costs, as well as to expand the pathways offering. From mid-2026 we will include advice and guidance for young people and schools’ exploring priority access to independent schools-based apprenticeship roles.
At a time when wider evidence shows care-experienced young people remain significantly disadvantaged, (3x more likely to be out of work than their peers) we would welcome more schools to join the programme. 26 schools have been involved to date – they are listed in the Report. If you are not yet partnering with us on this important national programme and interested in providing volunteer mentors, please contact admin@springforward.org.uk
Connecting Communities: University of Oxford Rees’ Centre Evaluation of the impact of RNCSF schools’ attachment aware & trauma-informed practices
The attachment aware, trauma-informed practice project, the study findings of which are detailed in this new evaluation report from the University of Oxford Rees Centre, provided eight RNCSF accredited schools with a structured two-year programme of support to capture the learnings and embed approaches to supporting vulnerable children to thrive.
Through a partnership with Anewarc (a network of senior leaders, trainers and academics with extensive experience of supporting and leading the development of attachment aware practices) staff in the schools focused on a range of different environmental factors that between them provide clear learnings and a blueprint for attachment aware, trauma-informed practice that we hope can be used widely.
In September 2026 we will be embarking on the second wave of this project with eight new schools – a range of state and independent schools in the Bristol area. Schools interested in being involved in future waves should let us know at schools@royalspringboard.org.uk
Growing regional footprint allows for better coordination of schools and Councils to work together to improve outcomes for children in care
We now have six DfE sponsored regional hubs in operation with Regional Coordinators providing a single point of contact for all local authorities and charities in a region seeking bursary placements for vulnerable children:
East – hosted by Norwich School
London – hosted by KCS Wimbledon
Midlands – hosted by KESG Birmingham
North East – hosted by RGS Newcastle
North West – hosted by Manchester Grammar School
South West - hosted by Bristol Grammar School
Our South East hub is on track to launch in September. This model of devolved working is complementing the moves by government to create a new regional care commissioners infrastructure across the country. Our Regional Coordinators work carefully with the commissioning teams within Local Authorities to consider each child’s specific needs and interests and how these might align behind different schools’ strengths. It has led to a huge uptake in interest from schools, and created efficiencies in our central staff team now able to focus on cross-regional placements planning and to cover the regions where there is not yet a regional hub presence.
Supporting schools – our Annual Conference on Friday 22nd May
This term we will welcome reps from across the network of 200+ RNCSF accredited schools to Bristol Grammar School for our annual Schools Conference. It will be great to have so many colleagues together sharing their experiences and advice.
This annual Conference is now supported by our RNCSF Learning Hub sessions – monthly ‘drop-ins’ where we provide a more regular beat of opportunities to shape our work and learn from each other. The first three of these monthly online sessions have been really well attended and given us lots of ideas for future topics to cover.
Alumni Celebration – 30th June at Grocers Hall in London
We are really looking forward to welcoming all our Year 13s at our Celebration Event on 30th June which this year is being kindly hosted by the Grocers Company at their livery hall in central London.
All your Year 13 SpringBoard pupils have been notified of the details through their partner organisations or directly. We hope that they will all be able to come along, and that you/your RNCSF Rep might consider joining us for what is always the most fulfilling event.