Checkmate - £1,000 chess donation to schools

Students at Ridgeway Secondary School have received a major boost to their Chess Club thanks to a generous £1,000 donation from the South Worcestershire Methodist Circuit, supporting young players across the Shires Multi Academy Trust.

Revd Liz Harris visited Ridgeway to officially present the equipment and to meet students who are already thriving through their involvement in chess. During her visit, she also joined students for friendly matches, celebrating the impact of the project first-hand.

Each secondary school in the Trust has received 12 sets of club-quality weighted Gambit chess pieces and folding boards, alongside spare pieces, a low-sensory mat, and a professional digital chess clock. As the Trust’s designated Chess Hub, Ridgeway Secondary School has also been provided with additional sets to support inter-school competitions and tournaments.

The initiative was led by Stephen Froggatt, a Mathematics teacher at Ridgeway and a Methodist Minister, who runs the school’s popular Chess Club.

Stephen said, “This is about much more than donating chess equipment. It’s about showing young people that their community, and in this instance the church, values them and believes they are worth investing in. It’s about promoting a game that can be enjoyed for life and that builds friendship, resilience, focus, and strategic thinking. The impact really does reach far beyond the chessboard.”

Students have already reported increased enthusiasm and participation in the club, with one pupil commenting:

“Having proper equipment makes it feel professional and exciting. It shows people believe in us and what we’re learning.”

Matt Ball, Headteacher at Ridgeway Secondary School, added, "We are incredibly grateful to the South Worcestershire Methodist Circuit for their generosity. This investment will benefit students across the Trust and help develop confidence, thinking skills and positive competition.”