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Mike became frustrated that, as a mainstream PE teacher, he was limited in how much he could use outdoor education as a vehicle to bring about positive change in vulnerable and challenging young people. In the early days, Mike and Jo ran RP out of the spare bedroom of their house in Portsmouth, involving outdoor-qualified friends to deliver on an ad-hoc basis.
RP has always grown according to the needs identified by funders and referrers, and in 2011, responding to requests from Local Authorities, we established our own full-time, small-group SEN provision based in Havant – the Engage programme. Engage built steadily, and in parallel, we developed a full-time one-to-one provision, for young people who are unable to manage even the very small group setting. 2012 saw a watershed in our story. Jo King, who had been working 3 days a week as General Manager, left to pursue a new career. It was clear that, if RP was to ensure growth, it needed a full-time replacement. Dr Catherine Brennan was recruited that year as Operations Manager, and joined a team of 11. By the end of 2012, RP had purchased 7 Kingscroft Court, two ‘Engage‘ groups were thriving in the adjoining buildings, and 1:1 provision continued to increase. In 2017 Releasing Potential registered with the Department for Education and became an Independent School with over thirty staff and places for up to fifty students years 7-13.
Since 2001, Releasing Potential has been a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. We are governed by a board of trustees gathered from the worlds of education, social care and business, as well as an education steering committee that looks after the school. We now operate out of two school sites in Havant and Chichester, as well as a farm site, coffee truck, Sailing Centre and several small social enterprise businesses. Since 2003, our provision has developed to include an Independent School, Academic Institute, and Social Enterprise Businesses.
The Releasing Potential philosophy is at the heart of everything we do, shaping our approach to education and youth development. It emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where young people feel safe, supported, and empowered to explore new opportunities. By fostering a space that balances structure with flexibility, we enable students to engage in activities that challenge them while being in a nurturing and fun atmosphere. Through this, they are able to take managed risks -whether in academic pursuits, outdoor adventures, or social interactions – that promote personal growth.
Our trustees generously dedicate their time, expertise, and passion to guide and support Releasing Potential as we continue to grow and move forward. Their commitment goes beyond attending meetings; they actively engage with our mission and work to ensure that we remain true to our core values while exploring innovative ways to expand our impact. Each trustee brings unique professional experiences and perspectives, allowing us to benefit from a wealth of knowledge and insight. Their collective enthusiasm for the work we do inspires the entire organization, and their strategic oversight is crucial to our ongoing success.
Our Senior Leadership Team is a dedicated group of experienced educators and administrators committed to shaping the future of our school.
Each member brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from various educational backgrounds, ensuring that our institution continues to thrive in both academic excellence and student development.
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