When Pridwin Preparatory School opened its academy four years ago, it set out with a simple, but powerful idea: To give boys from Alexandra the chance to become global citizens, by learning more and thriving in spaces that had once felt far out of reach. Today, that vision has not only changed lives; it’s earned the academy the Schroders Investment Management Global Charity Competition Award, recognising its meaningful impact on children’s education and growth.

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As part of Schroders’ philosophy of giving, the competition honours initiatives that transform lives, and the Pridwin Academy stood out for its dedication to supporting young learners through education. According to Schroders’ Global Charity Committee: “Pridwin Academy stood out as a top choice for both judges. Their focus on supporting children through education is an impactful humanitarian cause with the potential to transform lives.”

The Pridwin Academy operates three times a week and currently hosts grades 5 and 6 boys, totalling 31 learners, with plans to extend next year by adding a class. The programme selects academically strong learners from Emfundisweni, Iphutheng, and Ikage primary schools, offering a holistic after-school experience where education extends far beyond textbooks. Boys engage in English, mathletics, and technology lessons, coding, art, sport, and music, while also benefiting from meals, uniforms, transport, and access to facilities, such as swimming pools and basketball courts – transforming the academy into a second home that nurtures both ability and confidence.

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Academy head Kerry Stassen, who has guided the programme since its inception, describes it as: “A chance to show what happens when communities come together to lift young people.”

She believes the international award reflects the meaningful difference the academy is making in Alexandra. For the boys themselves, the impact is deeply felt. They describe how the academy has improved their academic skills, confidence, and emotional resilience, giving them opportunities they never imagined. Many speak of learning to express themselves better, excelling in subjects like maths and English, and gaining a sense of pride in their achievements – with one noting proudly: “Now, I am proud to call myself a Pridwin boy – or as we like to say, a Pridwin Knight.”

The award not only celebrates the academy’s success; it secures vital financial support, extending the reach of the academy in 2026 by adding a grade. Yet for Stassen, the true measure of success lies in the boys themselves. “They arrive as learners,” she says, “but they leave as leaders – ready to take what they’ve gained and carry it back into their own communities.”

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