We are proud to announce we won the Education category at the Bath Life Awards 2026, recognising our growing impact supporting children and young people across our community.

The Foundation was shortlisted alongside a number of outstanding education providers including Bath Spa University, Kingswood School, Monkton Combe School, Languages United and several others.

For a charity working in the education space, the recognition is particularly significant.

The judging panel described Bath Rugby Foundation’s work as:

“Transformative, wide-reaching and long-term educational offer. In 2025 Bath Rugby Foundation had its most comprehensive programme to date.”

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Our education programmes support children and young people aged 9-25 who struggle to thrive in mainstream education.

Through sport, mentoring and tailored learning programmes, we charity provides social, emotional and practical support to help young people rebuild confidence, reconnect with learning and create a positive future.

Bath Rugby Foundation has developed a pathway of education designed to help young people at different stages of their journey.

Engage supports children aged 9-13 who may be experiencing anxiety, emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), or social and emotional challenges that make attending school difficult. Delivered in small groups in community rugby clubs, the programme combines sport, mentoring and wellbeing support to help students rebuild confidence and reconnect with learning.

Early results from the programme show:

• Attendance improving to 92-94%, matching the national school average

• A 4.4% improvement in punctuality

• 36% more positive learning behaviours in the classroom

• A 25% increase in positive behaviour reported by schools

For older students, the Alternative Learning Hub (ALH) provides structured learning programmes for young people aged 11-16 who are at risk of disengaging from education.

Working closely with schools, local authorities and families, the Hub delivers tailored learning plans designed to support students’ social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) alongside their academic progress.

Within the Hub, Boost offers an intensive pathway back into education for students aged 14-16, providing Functional Skills qualifications in Maths, English and Digital Skills, alongside life skills and work experience opportunities.

The programme currently achieves an 85% exam pass rate, helping young people successfully transition into further education, employment or training.

For young adults aged 16-25, Advantage supports those who are NEET (not in education, employment or training). The programme focuses on life skills, job readiness and confidence building, helping young people move into employment, further education or training opportunities.

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Across Bath and North East Somerset and Wiltshire, there are limited alternative education pathways for young people who cannot thrive in traditional school settings.

Bath Rugby Foundation’s programmes aim to fill this gap, ensuring that vulnerable young people receive the support they need before they become permanently disengaged from education.

Through close collaboration with schools, local authorities and community partners, the Foundation helps create pathways back into learning, employment and independence.

Winning the Education category at the Bath Life Awards marks an important milestone for Bath Rugby Foundation as it continues to expand its education programmes and support more young people across the region.

For the team delivering the work every day, however, the focus remains the same: ensuring every young person has the support, confidence and opportunities they need to build a brighter future.

To refer a young person to our pathway of education, email: [email protected]