Since 2007, SMK Gateway has supported young people of African and Caribbean descent to harness their own potential through access to cost effective educational and mentoring services. By creating opportunities for members of our community to break free from educational underachievement, they are better equipped to enter the job market with greater self-esteem and self-worth, thereby bucking the demographic trend.

Why?
The new SEED centre will allow more vulnerable students, struggling in mainstream schooling, to access quality supplementary education, mentoring and coaching. Post pandemic, the demand access to English, Numeracy, and Life Skills has increased. Many young people, who may already have specific learning needs, have been affected by anxiety. Without specific resources or support at home they have become distant from their peer learning groups. In addition, the greater number of asylum-seeking children arriving in Milton Keynes, has led the local council to ask for an extension in the services we are able to provide in access to English, numeracy and life skills.

What?
With planning permission for a new 2 storey complex, SMK Gateway would like to offer a new education, enterprise and exam centre hub. A creative and collaborative, yet purposeful, environment where students and entrepreneurs can learn, grown and access the tailored support they need to thrive. In addition, with a community café and wellbeing space we hope to reduce social isolation often experienced by many in our communities and address the acute mental health situation we now face post COVID-19.

When?
We need your financial support and now is the time to help us raise funds to commence our build. Having already raised £350,000, and received pro bono pledges from development contractors, we now need to tender for construction. None of this will be possible without continued support from our trusted and valued donors.