SHARE YOUR STORY

About the Project

The Justin Thompson Project is named in honour of Justin Thompson (1944–2025), born in St George’s, Grenada, who journeyed to England at 17 and built a life defined by principle, care and unwavering commitment to his children. His example - present, loving and values led, shaped his son, Marc Thompson, now a Black headteacher within the LEAP Federation, and inspires this project’s belief that strong parenting and school partnerships change futures.

Our belief: 'If you plant corn, you can’t reap peas.' Children reflect the values and behaviours they experience. When parents are seen, heard and supported, children’s aspirations and outcomes rise.

Our Aim: We exist to strengthen the relationship between parents and schools, especially with families who have felt unseen or disconnected, by using story, visibility and targeted engagement to build trust, raise aspirations and champion children’s futures.

Our Approach: We work across three strands:

1) Storytelling & Visibility

We collect, celebrate and share parents’ stories through an online collection, in school floor books, assemblies, spoken word events and photography/film across the year. These stories create role models and a sense of belonging and pride across our communities.

2) Targeted Engagement

We design activities with and for under-represented groups, families who do not see themselves reflected in leadership, and those facing social, cultural or economic barriers to build practical routes into school life.

3) Building a Legacy

We are growing a borough wide initiative across Hackney: a living archive of parenting, resilience and aspiration that invites contributions from families in every community.

The Impact We’re Working Towards

• Break down barriers between parents and schools.
• Inspire parents to champion their children’s futures.
• Celebrate diversity, representation and visibility in leadership.
• Create a lasting, local archive of real stories to inspire future generations.

Why This Matters

Across Hackney and beyond, some pupil groups face persistent barriers to achievement. These include Black Caribbean pupils, Turkish-speaking pupils, Irish Traveller pupils and pupils who are disadvantaged or supported by social care (FSM, LAC, SEND, CIN/CP). Root causes include historic mistrust of institutions, lower visibility of relatable role models, language and work-pattern barriers, mobility, exclusion and reduced sense of belonging. JTP responds with culturally relevant, community-shaped engagement that centres on dignity, representation and parental voice.

 

Programmes

1) My Story: Celebrating Identity, Building Belonging

A creative storytelling programme, oral shorts, photography, video workshops and community events, amplifying lived experiences from across Hackney. Outputs include an online gallery and a Story Book that captures journeys, portraits and place.

 

2) My Name: The Story of My Name

Names hold memory, meaning and identity. Families explore the origins of their names and collaborate with local artists to create a street-art montage at each school, a lasting, public celebration of belonging.

 

3) Story Exchange: Cross-Cultural, Cross-Generational

Facilitated exchanges that foster empathy and connection, including spoken word with community aligned poets and an interactive Story Exchange Hub where visitors can listen to recorded stories.

 

4) My Future Story: Hopes and Dreams

Workshops and self-portrait collages, culminating in The Future of Hackney showcase, an evening of drama and spoken word at Hackney St John's Church where children and families share hopes, plans and possibilities.

 

5) Tales by the Fire

Celebratory final fireside storytelling event with professional storytellers, shared food reclaiming the timeless magic of gathering and tale keeping.

 

6) Pavee Tales: Traveller Storykeepers

Celebrating the oral traditions of Traveller communities through family-led film shorts and a co-created Traveller history and culture unit for the curriculum, preserving heritage and building understanding.

 

7) The LEAP Academy (Targeted Extra-Curricular)

Skill-building and recognition for families and pupils:

• Family Photography & Videography (training and workshops)
• Family Martial Arts (wellbeing, bonding and graded achievements)
• Cooking School (with food provided)
• Each One Teach One mentoring: trained local secondary pupils mentoring targeted LEAP pupils.

 

Our Values: The LEAP Framework

JTP sits within LEAP’s commitment to anti-racism, equality and equity, intentional and empowering use of language, community experiences, and leadership development and evaluation that keep inclusion at the centre. Our curriculum is rich, relevant, representative and critically thoughtful; it is responsive, builds identity and self, and uses the power of story to promote belonging.

 

Get Involved

Parents & Carers: Share your story, join workshops, attend fireside sessions, or take part in LEAP Academy activities.

Community Partners: Collaborate on events, mentoring, creative arts, or curriculum development.

Funders & Donors: Help us scale a borough-wide legacy of belonging and aspiration.

Educators & Leaders: Adopt and adapt JTP elements for your setting; we’re building open resources and practical guides.

Contact: LEAP Federation – The Justin Thompson Project

General enquiries & partnerships: admin@leapfederation.org + please add JTP enquiry in subject line

Press & media: admin@leapfederation.org + please add JTP Press/Media in subject line

 

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