Steyning students support NSPCC with alternative to annual Jailbreak

The popular December event has been in place for 39 years, allowing teenagers to break out of their classrooms and travel across Sussex in costume for a day of fundraising.

Teams are given two hours before being rounded up by teachers dressed as prison guards and returned to the school’s Shooting Field site to count up the money.

Thousands of pounds are usually raised for the NSPCC and the students wanted to ensure this could continue, so a virtual quiz was arranged to replace the 2020 Jailbreak, which had to be cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Miss Nicola Bedford, head of year 13, said: “The Steyning Grammar School student leaders have put this whole event together as an alternative to our annual year 13 Jailbreak.

“Incredibly, with the help of all the students, parents and staff, we still managed to raise a fantastic amount and are incredibly proud of our Steyning family.”

The quiz involved Christmas-themed activities and a total of £2,122.31 was raised for the NSPCC.

Kate Hershkowitz, the charity’s community fundraising manager for Sussex, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Steyning Grammar School for the amount it has raised this year for the NSPCC.

“Every penny raised helps fund NSPCC services such as Childline and Speak Out. Stay Safe, which teaches primary school children about abuse and who they can turn to for help, including Childline.”

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