BIRMINGHAMTHEBLUECOATSCHOOL1722

The Blue Coat School Birmingham is proud to announce Project Malawi. This is a partnership with two schools in Malawi: Playdor School in Blantyre, a progressive and inclusive school of over 1,000 pupils and Mlomba Primary School, a rural government school.

PROJECT MALAWI

The partnership began in June, when Head of Languages, Mrs Newman and Pastoral Support Teacher, Mrs Neeson, travelled to Malawi to explore opportunities for international collaboration. 

Malawi is a small country in south-east Africa, known as ‘the warm heart of Africa’. It is currently ranked as the fourth poorest country in the world. It has a population of 22.2million with over 80% of those living in rural areas and an above-average population growth rate. The population of Malawi is also very young, with almost 50% under the age of 15. This poses significant educational challenges to the country.

During the visit, Mrs Newman and Mrs Neeson spent time in both urban and rural schools to understand different contexts and needs. 

Introducing The Blue Coat Malawi Project

Playdor School

The anchor partnership was established with Playdor School in Blantyre, a progressive and inclusive school of over 1,000 pupils, where equality and opportunity are central to its ethos. 

A group of children working on a drawing during a visit from The Blue Coat School Birmingham to establish The Blue Coat Malawi Project
A group of children holding up their work to show the class during a visit from The Blue Coat School Birmingham to establish The Blue Coat Malawi Project

Mlomba Primary School

Time was also spent at Mlomba Primary School. This is a rural government school where children often learn without resources we take for granted such as desks, books, and even clean running water.

The trip provided valuable insight into the realities of education in Malawi and helped shape the focus of the new Malawi Project. Priorities identified include supporting clean water provision, resourcing classrooms, and supporting children with school expenses. 

Mlomba Primary school in Malawi

Bringing the Partnership to Birmingham

Just as importantly, the visit confirmed the potential for rich cultural and educational exchange between schools. The partnership will ensure that pupils in both countries benefit from learning with purpose and developing as global citizens.

We will be linking our classrooms at The Blue Coat School Birmingham with theirs, through assemblies, curriculum connections and projects.

House Charity Day

The next step for this partnership is a fundraising drive through the upcoming House Charity Day for Birmingham, Chandler and Grace House. House Charity Days have a long tradition of raising significant amounts of money for very worthy causes. We are delighted that three Houses are joining forces to support Project Malawi.

Through the pupils’ fundraising efforts, we hope to be able to provide meaningful support to our partner schools by supplying desks, improving access to water, and helping to cover essential school expenses.

The House Charity Day is taking place on Friday 17 October 2025. Many pupils have already begun planning their fundraising campaigns with bake sales, sponsored bicycle rides and selling homemade arts and crafts. 

Project Malawi is about more than just fundraising—it’s about building friendships, sharing cultures and learning together as global citizens. Through this partnership, pupils in Birmingham and Malawi will have the chance to grow, inspire and make a difference in each other’s lives.