At St Paul’s Way, we are proud to offer an exceptional tennis programme in partnership with Greenhouse Sports, one of the UK’s leading sports charities. Now in its twelfth year, this prestigious and fully integrated programme provides our students with a unique combination of elite sports training, personal mentoring, leadership development and life-changing opportunities.

Our tennis programme is more than just sport, it is a transformative experience that supports academic progress, mental wellbeing and future aspirations.

An Award-Winning and Recognised Programme

Our partnership with Greenhouse Sports began in 2012 and has since grown into one of the most successful school tennis programmes in the country. St Paul’s Way Trust School has received several prestigious accolades in recognition of this work:

National School of the Year for Tennis (2021)
Essex School of the Year (2021 and 2025)
LTA Tennis Excellence Award (presented at the Queen’s Club in 2024)

Supported by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and the Tennis Foundation, the programme is a symbol of excellence in Tower Hamlets and a national model of what tennis in schools can achieve.

Exceptional Tennis Delivery

Over 5,700 hours of tennis delivered in the past year
More than 3,000 student sessions
108 students enrolled, with 59 percent girls
Students on the programme attend on average five more days of school than their peers
Sessions delivered before school, during curriculum time, at lunch and after school

From early morning training to competitive after school sessions, tennis is seamlessly embedded into school life and tailored to the needs and aspirations of each individual.

Encouraging Girls to Play Sport

We’re proud to have one of the highest levels of female participation in sport across the Greenhouse Sports network. This is the result of dedicated work to inspire, include and empower young women through initiatives such as:

Girls-only coaching sessions and festivals
Collaborations with She Rallies, Amazon Prime Girls, and Adidas Breaking Barriers
International Women’s Day event with King’s College London and the LTA

Why Our Programme Offers More Than Just Sport

Mentoring Through Sport

The programme is led by full-time coach and mentor Christine Dransfield (Chris), who works tirelessly to support students both on and off the court. Whether they are dealing with anxiety, struggling with school engagement or developing their confidence, students benefit from personalised sessions, tailored support, and consistent encouragement.

Chris works closely with teachers, the safeguarding team, SEND and school counsellors to ensure every child feels safe, seen and supported.

“During a tough year, when her confidence was low, tennis was sometimes the only thing that kept my daughter in school.” – Parent of a Greenhouse student

Holiday Camps and Enrichment Activities

The programme extends beyond term time with at least six weeks of holiday provision throughout the year. These sessions provide structure, support and enrichment during school breaks, especially for students who might not otherwise access such opportunities.

Chris also organises a wide range of enrichment activities to build social skills, including:

Trips to Wimbledon, Eastbourne Tennis, and the Billie Jean King Cup
Laser Tag, Thorpe Park, and Harry Potter walking tours
Women and girls’ health workshops with Adidas and The Well HQ
Exclusive access to media centres and Q and A sessions with industry professionals

Preparing Our Students for the Future

Leadership and Employability Pathways

Our students are not just players – they are future leaders. The tennis programme offers structured pathways in leadership and coaching through:

The Tennis Leaders Course
LTA Assistant Qualifications (open to students and parents)
The Employability Project in collaboration with Premier Tennis

Tennis Leaders gain hands-on experience at school and national events, including:

London Youth Games
Blind Tennis National Championships
Play Your Way to Wimbledon tournaments

They are also mentored throughout the year to develop professional skills in communication, organisation and teamwork.

Exclusive Corporate and Community Links

Our students regularly interact with leaders from world-renowned companies such as:

Goldman Sachs
Bloomberg
Bridgepoint

These opportunities include:

Corporate-led sessions on site
Visits to corporate offices
Careers Q and A events

Beyond the business world, students are also linked with national tennis networks, community coaching programmes and youth sport organisations like StreetGames, LTA Serves, and Premier Tennis.

Supporting Students and Engaging Families for Success

Academic and Emotional Support

We believe that sport is a powerful tool for education. Students who engage with the Greenhouse Tennis Programme often show improved attendance, better behaviour and increased self-confidence.

The programme plays an important role in supporting students with:

Mental health
Exam stress
Behaviour management
SEND support

For some students, tennis becomes their anchor, their community and their reason to succeed.

Community and Family Engagement

The impact of the programme goes beyond the student body. Our evening and weekend community sessions welcome parents, siblings and local families to get involved.

Parents are encouraged to play free of charge, and some have even begun their own tennis journeys. Several parents and students have completed formal LTA coaching qualifications through the programme.

A Programme that Shapes Futures

At St Paul’s Way, tennis is not just a sport – it is a pathway to opportunity. For many of our students, it is a chance to travel, to grow, and to imagine a different future.

From the first training session to coaching qualifications, from inner-city Tower Hamlets to the grass courts of Wimbledon, our students experience a programme like no other.

Want to join the Greenhouse Tennis Programme?

We welcome new families to be part of this exceptional journey. If your child is passionate about sport, wants to build their confidence, or would benefit from a positive and structured environment, we encourage you to explore our Greenhouse Tennis Programme.

Places are limited, so early registration is encouraged. Sign Up here.

Follow Our Journey

See our students in action, view recent events and stay updated on Instagram:

Visit Greenhouse Sports

St Paul’s Way Trust School – Where Every Student Has the Chance to Thrive