Haverstock school bridges generational divide as pupils throw tea party for pensioners

Smiling faces were the order of the day as pupils at Haverstock School held their annual tea party for senior citizens.

Pupils host a teaparty for senior citizens at Haverstock School. Janet Fruin, 78, and George Telfer, 92, are pictured with Claire Lesa, 15. Picture: Nigel Sutton - Credit: Nigel Sutton

After more than 20 years, the event is a firmly established tradition at the school in Haverstock Hill, Chalk Farm, and provides an opportunity to bridge the generational divide.

Pupils host a teaparty for senior citizens at Haverstock School. Janet Fruin, 78, and George Telfer, 92, are pictured with Claire Lesa, 15. Picture: Nigel Sutton - Credit: Nigel Sutton

Tea and cakes were served up along with piping hot pots of tea and students even arrived early at 7am to personally prepare sandwiches for the party, organised by Year 10 pupils and head of year Amy Brown.

Residents of Maitland Park and Branch Hill care homes were particularly delighted to hear the students singing as entertainment during the afternoon tea on January 24.

Nikki Haydon, the school’s community partnerships coordinator, said: “A lot of the older people have a great relationship with Haverstock, they know our kids very well.

“What impresses me is that some of the pupils who are very shy, who you would not expect to be confident speaking to someone much older, really come out of themselves.

“You see some of the boys, who you wouldn’t expect to have these social skills, being very positive and caring and that to me is very important.”