More than a coffee shop
Strive is our community coffee shop. It sits right here on the Flakefleet site, and it belongs to all of us.
We always wanted a place where our families and our neighbours could come together. Somewhere to feel like you belong. Somewhere to make memories and do things a bit differently. Strive is that place.
Proper coffee from Atkinsons, roasted just up the road in Lancaster. Savoury food and cakes that are as delicious as we can make them and as cheap as we can keep them. A safe, warm, welcoming space that’s ours.
Pop in for a brew. Stay for the company.
How it started
We’re proud of the way we work with our families. We know the difference a school can make in a community like ours, and we didn’t want to stop at the school gates.
So we dreamed of a coffee shop. Not a hatch in a corridor. A proper one, done properly.
We were incredibly excited to secure significant funding from FCMS, a local social enterprise, to set it up the right way. Strive opened its doors in September 2023 and it has been evolving ever since.
We know how lucky we are. Not many schools have their own space like this. We don’t take it for granted.
What goes on
Strive has become whatever our community has needed it to be. In a short time it has hosted job fairs, dementia support, Women’s Aid sessions, creativity sessions, crafts, parties and so much more. Local groups meet here. Parents catch up here. People who just need a friendly face find one here.
We want to help people get back on their feet. That might be their mental health. It might be finding work. It might be getting healthy. Whatever it is, the kettle’s on.
Strive is a Community Interest Company. If we ever do make a profit, every penny goes back into our local area. That’s the deal.
Our children at work
Our children love Strive. Every one of them gets work experience here. They serve customers, work the till, and sell things they’ve made themselves. Milkshakes, smoothies, cakes, crafts. They learn about money, teamwork and talking to real customers. And they’re brilliant at it.
If you’re thinking about Flakefleet for your child, come and see them in action. It tells you a lot about who we are.
Room to hire
Strive has its own gallery and rooms available to hire, and the whole building can be booked for bigger events. Local groups, organisations, professionals, parties, training. If you need a space, ask us.
FlakeFest
In 2025 Strive took over FlakeFest, our very own music festival on the school field. Thousands came. Whigfield headlined. Yes, that Whigfield. We had Saturday Night on our field on a Friday night and we still can’t quite believe it.
Come and find us
We’re open weekdays during term time, and we’re working hard to open all year round.
Whether you’re a Flakefleet parent, a new family wondering whether we’re the school for you, or a neighbour who fancies a decent coffee, you’re welcome. Everyone is.
