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Pupils from schools across the Turner Schools Trust have taken part in a unique and moving journey alongside the Coat of Hopes - a travelling patchwork coat that is being walked across Britain to raise awareness of the climate and ecological crisis.

More than 100 students joined the Coat over six days as it made its way on foot from Canterbury to Folkestone, stopping in local towns and villages along the way and starting conversations about community, care, and climate action.

The journey began on Tuesday 24 June, when pupils and staff from St Stephen’s Infant School were welcomed into the Crypt of Canterbury Cathedral to present a hand-sewn patch representing their hopes for the future. From there, they wore the Coat and walked through the city to mark the start of the 67-mile Kent leg of its national pilgrimage.

On 25 and 26 June, pupils from Dover Christchurch Academy joined the pilgrimage in stages between St Nicholas-at-Wade, Birchington and Ramsgate. Students wore the Coat and helped carry its train, talking along the way with artist Barbara Keal and ‘Wayfinder’ Helen Locke about the importance of hope and collective responsibility in the face of climate change.

The final stage of the journey brought the Coat through Thanet, before it arrived in Folkestone on Sunday 29 June. There, Michelle Foxwood, Director of Creative Arts at Turner Schools, wore the Coat on its final descent from the Battle of Britain Memorial to the entrance of the Creative Quarter, where it was met by members of the local community.

Michelle Foxwood said: “This experience gave our pupils something really memorable and a  sense that they were part of something bigger than themselves. Walking with the Coat was a chance to reflect, connect, and talk about the kind of future we all want to see. The project’s message about looking after each other and the planet came through clearly – and the children really responded to that.”

The Coat was then worn by Barbara Keal, the artist who began the project, as it completed its walk on Folkestone’s Old High Street, arriving at Folkestone Museum, where it will now be on display until 30 August.

“I have walked with the Coat for four years,” said Barbara Keal. “And I will keep walking while we remain in a state of climate and human emergency.”

While the Coat rests in Folkestone, Turner Schools pupils will continue to engage with its message through special assemblies and paper patch workshops. Martello Primary was visited by the Coat on 1 July, where pupils created their own miniature “paper coats” reflecting the people, places and creatures they care about.

The Coat of Hopes will continue its journey later this summer, heading next to Hastings, Newhaven and Brighton.

Students from Turner Schools are preparing to take part in a unique and moving journey together with the Coat of Hopes – a handmade, community-created artwork that has travelled more than 1,750 miles across Britain on foot as part of a grassroots pilgrimage for climate and ecological awareness.

From 24 June 2025, pupils from Turner Schools in Canterbury, Dover, and Folkestone will walk with the Coat of Hopes as it continues its journey from Canterbury to Folkestone, adding their presence – and their hopes – to a living artwork made up of hundreds of stitched patches from communities across the country.

The Coat of Hopes began its pilgrimage in 2021, travelling from Newhaven to the United Nations Climate Summit (COP26) in Glasgow. Along the way, it has grown into a powerful symbol of collective action, care and determination in the face of ecological crisis. Today, it carries over 700 blanket patches, each sewn by someone representing a place, person, or species they hold dear.

“This is a rare opportunity for our students to step into something deeply meaningful – to walk, not just symbolically, but physically, in solidarity with a nationwide call for compassion and climate justice,” said Michelle Foxwood, Director of Creative Arts at Turner Schools. “Projects like this put young people at the heart of real-world change and allows them to feel what it means to stand together with others in hope.”

The Coat invites all those who encounter it to wear it, sing its song, and walk with open hearts. This journey is not funded or directed by any institution. It is sustained entirely by the goodwill of those who choose to walk, host, sing for, or sew into it.

Turner Schools CEO Seamus Murphy said:

“We’re proud to support our students in walking with the Coat of Hopes. It speaks to everything we believe in – creativity, citizenship, courage, and care. This is a walk of witness and connection, and we’re honoured to be part of its continuing journey.”

Members of the public are welcome to join the walk, support with food or accommodation, or contribute their own patch of hope. Anyone interested in helping between Canterbury and Folkestone is invited to email yes@coatofhopes.uk. For more information on how to join the walk please visit www.coatofhopes.uk. 

Its commitment to embracing the approach means St Stephen’s Infant School has met the criteria for it to be officially endorsed by Thrive. The accolade also means that the school can now apply to become a Thrive Ambassador School or School of Excellence.

The Thrive Approach is a trauma-informed, whole school or setting approach that helps to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Underpinned by the belief that challenging behaviour stems from unmet needs, Thrive provides training, resources and online tools, so teachers and staff can better understand the needs of pupils and provide targeted, effective support where it’s needed.

Alice Edginton, Headteacher at St Stephen’s Infant School, said: “Our students’ wellbeing is our main priority. We understand that our young people have been through a lot over recent years and we are focused on providing all the support we can to enable them to meet their potential, overcome any challenges, and thoroughly enjoy their time at school.

“Thrive has helped us embed a warm, supportive culture. We tackle behaviour issues and absenteeism with understanding and expertise. It is having an excellent impact throughout school and improving outcomes across the board, and it’s fantastic for the team to have received this recognition.”

Seamus Murphy, CEO at Turner Schools, added: “At Turner Schools, compassion and respect for our students sits at the heart of everything we do. We want our schools to be places where young people feel supported, valued and happy, and therefore able to learn to the very best of their abilities. The work the St Stephen’s team is doing to implement the Thrive approach is a great example of this and a clear demonstration of the school’s strong values and ethos around wellbeing.

“This recognition not only reflects the dedication of St Stephen’s staff but also sets the school apart as a leader in promoting mental health and wellbeing in education. The school is shaping a bright future for its students.”

Turner Schools is a growing community of eight schools across Kent, comprising both primary and secondary schools.