Our mission is to produce globally conscious young leaders by supporting their secondary education in a multi-cultural, multi-faith environment.
Who we are
Pestalozzi is a UK-based charity which offers life-changing opportunities to young people from disadvantaged communities around the world. We award scholarships to exceptional 16-19 year olds who are academically gifted but have limited educational prospects in their home countries. These young people have all demonstrated their enthusiasm for helping to make a difference in their communities.
Pestalozzi students live for two years in our multi-cultural, multi-faith community in East Sussex, UK, where they welcome difference and embrace diversity. They complete their secondary-level education and undertake a broad range of extra-curricular activities, gaining a holistic education focused on the Pestalozzi principles of Head, Heart and Hands.
Pestalozzi scholarships give these young people an opportunity they would not otherwise receive – the chance to develop their potential, pursue their ambitions and go on to make a real and lasting difference in the world.
You can be part of our story... Get involved today!
Why we exist
Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi
JH Pestalozzi (1746-1827) was a Swiss educational reformer. He believed that everyone deserved an education regardless of their social status, so he set up several schools for children whose lives had been torn apart during the Napoleonic wars. JH Pestalozzi also believed in a practical education for the whole person – Head, Heart and Hands – rather than in learning by rote.
Head, Heart and Hands
We aim to give our students an holistic experience, with plenty of opportunities to educate the Head, Heart and Hands.
- When JH Pestalozzi talks about the ‘head’, he encourages us to develop our intellectual side and powers of critical thought, exploring and engaging with the world in order to learn about it
- For JH Pestalozzi, developing the ‘heart’ means developing our ethical side by encouraging responsibility, integrity, friendship, love, gratitude and empathy with others
- The ‘hands’ part of JH Pestalozzi’s famous trilogy is probably the most complex. He includes professional and social skills, art and physical activity in this category – all the practical skills people can use to make a positive difference in the world.
The Pestalozzi Ladybird
The two-spotted Pestalozzi Ladybird is a symbol of hope and good fortune. Ladybird pins and badges have been sold to help fundraise for Pestalozzi for over half a century.
Enamel Pestalozzi Tie Pin
Ladybird Scarves.
Button Earrings
Enamel Ladybird Pin Badge
Do you remember selling ladybird pins at school in the 1950s and 1960s? Please get in touch! We’d love to hear your story.
