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The ACE Programme
A Champion for Every child
What is ACE?
ACE is a TKAT initiative that was started during covid. It aims to support students and their families to overcome barriers they may face. At Horizon we aim to support students with their attendance, reading and personal goals that they have chosen. These goals can support them academically and socially. If students achieve their goals for the term we celebrate with a termly celebration to show them we are proud of their progress. We feel this is an important part of ACE and supporting our students through their development. Within ACE at Horizon we work collaboratively, involving teachers, students and parents to help the personal development of our ACE students.
How does ACE help?
ACE can help both parents and students in a variety of ways. ACE aims to support students' engagement in school alongside improving their reading age and attendance. ACE also aims to support the emotional needs of our students. We do this by offering tailored support to students in sessions with their designated ACE tutor. ACE also helps support parents with things they may be struggling with, for example, their mental health, parenting advice and outside agency referrals.
Meet the ACE team
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Mrs Wright (Deputy Head/ SLT ACE Lead and ACE Tutor) I absolutely love being part of the TKAT ACE initiative and I'm really proud of the way Horizon Primary Academy is beginning to change and impact the lives of children (no matter how big or small) through the ACE programme. To watch children grow in confidence; try something new that they wouldn't have before and be physically and mentally fit for learning is truly inspiring. Working with the families, being able to support them and share their child's achievements with them makes ACE the positive force that it is. |
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Mrs Harman (ACE Lead and ACE Tutor) The most fulfilling part of being an ACE lead is witnessing a child’s blossoming confidence. I like to create a space where children feel good about themselves, ensuring we celebrate every milestone, whether it’s mastering a new concept or successfully managing a challenging task. I love the flexibility of working one-on-one or in small groups, which allows me to provide tailored support to meet each child's unique needs. Seeing my students apply themselves with such effort and determination fills me with immense pride. A key focus is working together to set clear, achievable personal goals, and then developing the strategies needed to fulfil them. Crucially, the ACE session is a safe and caring environment where children can feel secure enough to express their anxieties, share their proud moments, and articulate their hopes for the future. We aim to instill an unwavering belief in their abilities, so they walk away smarter, more confident, and prepared to succeed. |
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Mrs Chamberlain (ACE Tutor for Collaboration) I love the ACE program, and how it helps the children to feel part of something special. There are some fantastic projects they will be working on, including raising money for our new library area! I want to bring my Marine Biologist background to our ACE students looking closely at the jellyfish life cycle and how we can culture our very own jellyfish within school! I hope to find some budding aquarists amongst them. |
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Mrs Bettell (ACE Tutor for Compassion) I have found through the ACE programme that I have got to know so much more about the pupils. We have the chance to talk about anything that matters to them whether it is in school or at home. My ACE pupils have really engaged with the programme and are always keen to let me know if they have completed one of their targets or goals. We are working together to build pupil confidence and resilience. |
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Mrs Coole (ACE Tutor for Courage) What I enjoy most about my ACE sessions is watching children grow in confidence. Our ACE team celebrate the wins, no matter how big or small. It makes me extremely proud of my ACE students seeing them work so hard. We work together to set personal goals then work towards achieving them. ACE provides children with a safe space to be themselves, talk about worries, successes, dreams and ambitions. We believe in our children so they can believe in themselves! |
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Miss Levett (ACE Tutor) I'm thrilled to share that one of the most rewarding aspects of being an ACE tutor is the wonderful relationships I build with my pupils. It’s truly heartwarming to watch them grow in so many ways. I love meeting with each child and catching up on their progress. Whether we're discussing successes or challenges, school or home life, I strive to create a safe space where they feel comfortable and confident. Witnessing every one of them shine brings me great joy! |
If you would like to know more about ACE please contact us using the ACE reporting button or send a message via Arbor. Alternatively, you can call and ask for Mrs Harman (ACE Lead) or Mrs Wright (ACE Lead).
At Horizon, we set termly projects to help improve and develop the aspirations of our ACE students. Each ACE project is centred our core values of collaboration, courage and compassion. Our ACE projects have ranged from making Christmas ornaments for residents in our local care home to supporting our local MP Laura Trott and council members to redesign and improve a local park. Our ACE children also played an integral part in raising funds for our new school library which opened in 2025. Many of our ACE students help to run the library every day.
Our ACE tutors have also taken a lead on each of the core values.
An integral part of ACE at Horizon is that we don't just work with the children but we work with our parents too. Our ACE Leads and ACE tutors regularly speak to the parents of ACE children as well as hold coffee mornings, 1-1 meetings and termly ACE events with a host of Swanley community agencies that can support further than we can.
These agencies are just some of the ones we work with to ensure that our parents feel supported in all the right places. Please speak to Mrs Harman or Mrs Wright if you need help or support to access one of these.
The Community Cupboard
‘What an absolute credit they are to you and the staff. All of the kids were confident, engaged and clearly passionate about the project and had done some brilliant work on their ideas and suggestions for the play area". - Irene Seijo (Landscape Architecture/Seijo Associates)
‘My conclusion was so positive that whatever you are doing as part of the ACE (A Champion for Every Child) initiative is clearly working and you should continue with this ground breaking work, as I could see the confidence and high self-esteem in the eyes of your children, as I say a true credit to themselves and the school.’’ - Trevor Kennett (Head of Direct Services at Sevenoaks District Council)
"Thanks so much for having us at the ACE Community event - we are so grateful for being able to come along and speak to the parents, but also to hear about all of the other amazing agencies helping the community."
"It was fascinating to get a better insight on your ACE programme - hearing how much you support the children in your school to the extent you do was amazing to hear and is such an important thing that I honestly wish all schools had. Allowing children to talk freely and to further support them on things they may be struggling with or worried about, building further relationships with them and trust not only helps their overall wellbeing, but also allows them to open up in a safe space about anything else that could be really important."
"I'm truly so impressed with Horizon Primary Academy as a whole, it has such an amazing feel, even just walking in, but I truly believe that your ACE project heavily influences our children and young people within the community so positively - it was so lovely to be educated on what you do."
"Thank you for your continued support with the Community Cupboard and we look forward to working together further to help our community as a whole."
Caela - The Community Cupboard (Swanley and West Kingsdown)
‘MT looks forward to Ace project time. He speaks positively about what he has been doing during this time at home. He has enjoyed being involved in the playground design project and this has made him think about the design and research process. Most of all he has enjoyed being part of the football team. Being part of the football team has also allowed him to have the confidence to be part of a football group outside of school.
I am pleased that the Ace projects have given MT another focus other than the academics that take place in the classroom.’
‘ACE Tutors are very friendly and helpful’
“It was a lovely meeting, nice to reflect on all of the work that ACE workers and
students have been doing. Thank you for the invitation.’
‘I very much enjoyed the opportunity to attend Birchwood Heights with the children and
seeing them in that setting. It was lovely to witness first hand how appreciative the
residents were and how great it made the children feel. Thank you again for the
Invitation.’
These are comments from our students about their ACE sessions:
ACE has helped to control my emotions and come up with new strategies so that I can manage what I feel. This also means that I can be ready to learn and do well in most of my lessons. (JH)
In ACE we talk about how I feel and what I like and want to do. Also we do fun ACE projects that are super fun and I love them as I feel that I'm helping in the community. (PR)
My ACE tutor supports with my reading and improving my learning like getting me to get higher scores in my weekly spellings. (IH)
In my ACE session we do colouring and talk about my day. We talk about friendships and how I can achieve my ACE targets. (AS)
I like ACE because they all ACE tutors are kind and want the best for us. (SSP)
With some students, we take part in community projects which focus on our core values of courage, collaboration and compassion. This is what our students have to say about these experiences…
It felt like I was better for helping other people and giving them something special to remember. (RB)
I felt happy and proud when I gave the person my christmas tree. (DGK)
It is the best thing I have ever done. I felt that my ACE sessions gave me the confidence to be part of the team and they also prepared me to play the football game. (MT)
It makes me feel like a teacher when I read to a resident at the care home. It has encouraged me to read more at home myself. (JH)
It makes me feel good when I read to them as I can tell that they are enjoying my reading of the story. (LSD)
I felt nervous and happy to speak to new people and I’m so excited that ACE gave me the opportunity to design a new playground. (FHF)
I feel really happy because I have helped to design and make a better park for everyone. (EBL)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VOdj1z7-0zImM8Fbi8qDLbooN_F_5WQYeo20euGgE3U/edit?tab=t.0