Downshall Primary School

This year we are pleased to be celebrating ten years of our Downshall Intergenerational Provision (The DIG Project)—a groundbreaking initiative that is changing the lives of our youngest learners and local elderly citizens alike.

What is the DIG Project?

The DIG project is a unique, cross-sector partnership between Downshall Primary, the NHS Northeast London Foundation Trust (NELFT) and Palmer Catholic High School.  Together, we have created the UK’s very first older-adult daycare provision clinically embedded inside a primary school. Rather than just visiting a care home, our school plays host to a special day centre. Local elderly residents visit our school three days a week. The older adult volunteers are referred to the school by our local Mental Health team after experiencing life challenges such as social isolation. Together with our pupils, they read books, sing songs, build puzzles, and complete national curriculum activities.

The Impact on our Pupils Personal Development

A review of the project has demonstrated a significant impact on our children day in and day out. The impact is evident in the following ways:

Building Character and Daily Empathy -Our pupils don’t just read about being kind in textbooks—they practice it every single day. By forming bonds with older adults who have different health needs, children develop emotional intelligence, maturity, and community responsibility. It builds the resilience, confidence, and independence we want all our children to have.

Supercharging Speech and Language - In this low-pressure, loving environment, children naturally learn to adapt their speech for older adults who might have hearing or memory difficulties. We have seen children with delayed speech make massive verbal breakthroughs while chatting happily with their older friends.

Living Our Shared Values -The provision is British Values in action. By bringing a group of older citizens right into the heart of our school, we are actively teaching our children mutual respect and tolerance. The provision was even highlighted in the 2017 Parliamentary Working Group report (APPG on Social Integration) as a shining national example of community cohesion.

We are very pleased to have been able to add an additional level of Intergenerational excellence since 2024. In partnership with Palmer Catholic High School, three A Level students from Palmer Catholic join each day and bring an added dimension to the community feel and vibrance to this provision.

National Awards

The provision is officially recognized for its impact across the country. The school has been honoured with a number of prestigious national awards including:

• 🏆 TES Schools Award: Community & Collaboration
• 🏆 Pearson National Teaching Gold Award: Impact through Partnership
• 🏆 HSJ Partnership Award: For contribution to clinical care
• 🏆 Alzheimer’s Society: Dementia Friendly School of the Year

A True Win-Win for Our Community

The provision proves that when the generations come together, everyone wins. Our pupils grow into kinder, more confident communicators, and our older participants find joy, purpose, and connection.

Please see the links and videos below to find out more about the Downshall Intergenerational Provision.