Situated on Ninth Street in the tough inner-city community of South St Andrew, Charlie Smith is that ray of hope that often unites warring fractions. When the school's football team is doing well, lives are positively impacted.

 

The institution, which was built in 1975, then Jones Town Comprehensive and with a student population of approximately 1,200, is currently underpopulated with little over 600 pupils registered.

 

Over the years, the school has been shunned by a number of parents and students for varying reasons.

 

The school's name was changed in the 1980s to Charlie Smith in honour of a social worker who served the community well. The 39-year-old institution, with the motto "Effort the key to success", is rich in the tradition of cultural arts, but sport — and football in particular -- has been its shining beacon following the success of the football team in the Manning Cup competition.

 

Charlie Smith, despite losing the Manning Cup final in 1986 to Kingston College (KC), became a household name with the likes of players Christopher 'Belly' Diaz, Desmond 'Gorilla' Davey and Eugene 'Big Head' Williams.