The Compton School

Our first community trip to Wembley! (November 2025)

upthegreatness recently took six remarkable Compton Sixth Form students to Wembley Stadium to watch England take on Serbia. For many, it was their first time seeing professional football live and the impact was unforgettable.

Read our Partnerships Lead Albert's reflections below:

#upthegreatness #gknb | Albert Rogers“The only thing you truly keep is what you give away.” It’s a sentiment I’ve long admired, but I don’t think I fully understood it until I found myself at Wembley last week, watching England take on Serbia—not alone, but alongside six remarkable students from the Compton Sixth Form in Finchley. As some of you may know, I’ve spent most of my life following football. I’m an avid West Ham supporter, a long-suffering, long-travelling season-ticket holder who has followed them across the country (and occasionally across borders). Yet somehow, of all those games, this one stands apart. Not because of the scoreline. Because of the company. For these students, opportunities like this don’t come around often. For one young man, an ardent United fan, it was his first time seeing a live match. His eyes never left Marcus Rashford. He photographed his every movement, smiling so widely I don’t think he blinked for 90 minutes. When Rashford slipped the ball through the Serbian fullback’s legs, pure, unfiltered joy burst out of him. He later told me he had an hour-longer journey home than everyone else. It didn’t matter. For him, this was a potentially once-in-a-lifetime moment. The other boys and girls were no different—grateful, captivated, present. Watching them watch the game was humbling. It made me realise that what feels “ordinary” to some of us, especially those of us in the sporting industry, can be utterly extraordinary to someone seeing it for the first time. The faces, the excitement, the awe: these are what I’ll remember long after the final whistle. And that brings me back to my opening thought: the greatest things we give aren’t material. They’re moments. They’re memories. They’re access and exposure (especially for young people who rarely get either). Aside from a certain June night in Prague, I’m not sure any match I’ve attended comes close. This wouldn’t have been possible without some incredibly special people. Firstly, a huge thank you to the The FA for continuing to allow us to run initiatives such as this. To Grace McGurran whose time and support ensured the evening ran smoothly. And to Mr A. (Eyituoyo Nathan Akinbulumo) for coordinating the students and trusting the vision. At upthegreatness we believe in the power of transformative experiences. Seeing life through someone else’s eyes is the fastest antidote to complacency and the clearest reminder of how fortunate we truly are. If this resonates with you and you’d like to partner or collaborate, please do get in touch. #UpTheGreatness #GKNB

Greatness Fest Two (June 2025)

upthegreatness organised a careers and aspirations initiative that brought together Year 12 students from The Compton and Whitgift School, hosted at Whitgift School.

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The Compton School

Our first community trip to Wembley! (November 2025)

Greatness Fest Two (June 2025)

greatness knows no bounds