Activate Learning is celebrating another exceptional year of its National Saturday Club programme, marking 11 years of providing life-changing creative and skills-building opportunities for young people aged 13–16 across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Surrey.
In 2024–25, the organisation delivered 534 hours of activity, welcoming 181 Club members supported by 52 tutors and staff across a diverse portfolio of Clubs including Art&Design, Film&Screen, Craft&Making, Fashion&Business, and Science&Engineering.
A powerful partnership supporting young people
The National Saturday Club network now spans 122 Clubs nationwide and is built on a commitment to widening participation and unlocking opportunities for young people from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds. At Activate Learning, this mission is front and centre:
- 67% of participants were from widening participation backgrounds
- 10% received free school meals
- 16% had a disability
- 24% were from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds
Many club members had never taken part in extracurricular activities before, with 34% not involved in any other out-of-school programme and 81% visiting their Club’s campus for the first time.
These opportunities have been transformative:
- 94% said the Club met their expectations
- 95% would recommend it to a friend
- 85% reported increased confidence
- 76% said their outlook on the future had improve
Creativity, skills and confidence flourish across all campuses
Across the group, Clubs immersed young people in hands-on projects, industry-standard processes and creative experimentation.
Art&Design Clubs
From plaster casting and collage to Shibori dyeing and digital animation, learners explored a wide range of mediums while building imagination, collaboration and critical thinking skills at the Art&Design Clubs.
One Merrist Wood College and University Centre member said: “I have found new ways to get my brain working in a creative and imaginative way.”
Fashion&Business Clubs
Supported by the British Fashion Council, members learned draping, garment construction, textile experimentation and sustainable design philosophy at the Fashion&Business Clubs.
One participant said: “Not being academic is okay and creativity should be celebrated equally.”
Film&Screen Clubs
Supported by the British Film Institute, students developed technical expertise in storyboarding, filming, editing, sound and post-production at the Film&Screen Clubs.
Tutor, Clinton Osborne, praised student dedication. He said: “Full of vision, creativity and joy… Hollywood beware – they are coming for you!”
Science&Engineering Club
At The Leys College, participants built and programmed robots using LEGO EV3 kits, gaining valuable engineering and computational skills at the Science&Engineering Clubs.
National opportunities broaden horizons
Activate Learning Clubs fully engage with the National Saturday Club’s dynamic calendar of national events. These include:
The London Visit
For many, this was their first trip to a major cultural institution. Members visited Tate Britain and attended a pop-up exhibition at Central Saint Martins showcasing their “Expressions of Self” portraits.
- 87% valued the cultural visit
- 64% found the activities highly engaging
Industry masterclasses
Students have learned from leading professionals including:
- Award-winning film director, Mark A. C. Brown
- BBC documentary filmmaker, Karen Chambers
- Little Angel Theatre associate director, Oliver Hymans
- Fashion illustrator, Anjelica Roselyn
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive:
- 100% learned something new in some Masterclasses
- 90% gained awareness of new career path
Summer Show and Graduation at Somerset House
The year concluded with the prestigious Summer Show at Somerset House, where families, tutors and guests celebrated the creativity and achievements of every Club member. Their work sat alongside displays from across the UK, giving young people a national platform for their talent.
A lasting impact on young people and communities
Dr David Parker, an independent evaluator and education specialist, carried out a comprehensive assessment of the National Saturday Art Club National Programme. This year, the Saturday Clubs at Bracknell and Wokingham College, Reading College and University Centre, and Merrist Wood College and University Centre – colleges with the Activate Learning group – were included in the evaluation sample and subsequently featured as a case study in the national report.
Dr Parker highlights the profound influence of Activate Learning’s Clubs on personal development, social belonging and creative identity formation.
He said: “Activate Learning’s Saturday Clubs offer a compelling model for early access to creative education within a further education context. Under Samantha Robertson’s and Danielle Sterrenburg’s regional leadership, the Clubs serve both as pathways into creative careers and as enrichment programmes that support confidence, connection and personal growth.
“They stand as a testament to what is possible when strategic planning, community relationships, and inclusive practice come together in the service of young people’s creative development.”
Samantha Robertson, Learning for Leisure Team Lead for Berkshire and Surrey at Activate Learning, believes this is the heart of their success. She said: “It’s not just about the projects; it’s about confidence and aspiration. These Clubs give young people the chance to see themselves in a creative setting and imagine new futures within the creative industries sector.”
For many young people, the Clubs provide a sense of community they struggle to find elsewhere. One member shared: “Before coming here, I never fitted in… I found my tribe with this.”
A model for creative opportunity
Activate Learning’s long-standing collaboration with the National Saturday Club continues to open doors for young people, many of whom go on to pursue creative study or careers, empowered by early access, supportive tutors, and enriching experiences.
This year’s achievements stand as a testament to our commitment to nurturing talent, strengthening community connections and expanding access to creative education.