Habs Changemakers is an initiative within the Haberdashers’ Advantage character curriculum at Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South.
On Friday 20 June, Year 5 pupils from all five Haberdashers’ primary schools came together at Haberdashers’ Hatcham College for the grand final of the Habs Changemakers Dragon’s Den Competition — a powerful showcase of pupil-led social action.
Part of the Haberdashers’ Advantage character curriculum, Habs Changemakers is a flagship initiative that challenges Year 5 children to lead meaningful change within their school or local community. Working in teams, every pupil takes on a role — whether as a presenter, researcher, fundraiser, or campaigner — to develop and deliver a project that addresses a real-world issue they care about.
The competition engages all Year 5 students, who work together in class teams to plan and implement a social action project aimed at addressing an issue in their school or local community. Each student in the class must participate, and there are various roles available for them to choose from. They can join the presentation or tech team, or opt to be researchers or fundraisers etc.
Last week, every student in Year 5 was invited to attend the Habs Changemakers final (held at Haberdashers’ Hatcham College) to support their classmates presenting on stage. There were over 250 people in the audience, and there were 5 on the judging panel
The Dragon’s Den final was a celebration of this work, with teams from each school pitching their ideas to an esteemed panel of judges:
- Jan Shadick, CEO of Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South
- Sarah Mitchell, Senior Director for School Improvement at the Trust
- Niamh McGuinness, Head of School, Haberdashers’ Hatcham College
- Shaninga Marasha, CEO, BIGKID Foundation and member of the Company
- Susan Barry, Director for Charities, Haberdashers’ Company
Judges were looking for each group to reflect the Habs Principles: Ready to Learn, Knowledgeable Learner, Confident Communicator and Independent Learner. Each group delivered brilliant and compelling presentations on a variety of social issues that affected their school or wider community.
the judging panel
Our young changemakers impressed the panel not only with their creativity and clarity but also with the thoughtfulness behind each project. From tackling loneliness and food poverty to improving mental wellbeing and fitness, each team demonstrated empathy, leadership and a strong sense of citizenship — skills that are integral to the Trust’s Habs Teaching & Learning Principles and the development of character.
All schools participating in the programme are recognised with a Super Kind Award, which forms part of the Social Impact Schools Award. This acknowledges pupils who take part in volunteering, fundraising and awareness-raising efforts — and encourages them to continue making a difference long after the final pitch is over.
The winning team – Haberdashers’ Slade Green – were worthy winners, with a creative, smart and energetic presentation on ‘Putting the Green in Slade Green’. They have raised £1,000 to turn every class into a garden, to help foster calm and nurturing learning spaces.
Small actions can make a difference, and this was evident in each of the Year 5 pupils. Congratulations to all Year 5s from across the Trust!
Congratulations go to all involved, but particularly to Haberdashers’ Adams and Haberdashers’ Hatcham.
