Building Community Links: Schools and Communities Working Together for Children's Well-being

1. The Children’s Quarter Gathering Schools and communities working together Mick Waters 20 November 2018

2. The extremes for some children… • little conversation • few outings • little exercise • few books • you’re useless • you weren’t wanted • you’re a nuisance • I don’t want you • I don’t love you • shout and swear • argument and violence • poor diet • drink and smoke • use drugs • ignore others • reject convention • TV and few books • money is a source of tension

3. Building community links… 1950s…school as one part of provision for children in a routine life church, scouts, guides, clubs, FAMILY routine Late 60s…parent and communities gradually involved in schools, PTAs less involved in secondary stage 1970s…growth of ‘community education’ 1980s…parental choice, schools in competition for pupils parents as consumers 1990s…parents as clients, outside ‘agencies’ linked to schools 2000s…Every Child Matters with multi-agency working 2010s…families as part of the problem…fines…

4. Parents…partners…long memory…short fuse • many had a bad experience of school • custodial, supervisory…constant • can school sort out my children at home? • don’t insult me and my family • deference • often cannot do the tasks their children are set • lack the skills to say what they mean

5. The Children’s Quarter Gathering Schools and communities working together Mick Waters 20 November 2018

6. Some of the barriers… • little government awareness about the benefit of community partnership • from ‘community cohesion’ to ‘Prevent’: the fear of the stranger • families seen as ‘clients’ as in the public school sector • where the community is the target of PR and marketing • inspection reports ‘for’ parents as opposed to ‘about’ parents • parents’ own failures at school and discomfort with schooling • the labyrinth if officialdom determined to confuse • community organisations’ capacity to sustain support • limited co-ordination of community organisations’ efforts

7. The Children’s Quarter Gathering Schools and communities working together Mick Waters 20 November 2018

8. Trends since 2011… children at risk children in care calls to social care about concern to children children involved in organised crime children’s mental health children’s dental health children in drugs gangs

9. An over-focus on results… MORE THAN…harder, faster, stronger BETTER…focus, imagination and shared responsibility Over calibrated children seen as units of production with the teacher factored out of the process in the search for higher production with ‘branch manager’ leadership overseeing increased productivity and shifting stubborn figures with community looking in rather than involved

10. Some of the risks to well-being… alcohol low educational participation radicalisation drugs smoking poor diet weaponry internet grooming sex low educational attainment

11. A personalised learning outlook disadvantaged children? opportunities Culture and networks Application and work experience results social and emotional Prevention and security You need 8 ‘5’ grades risks and danger

12. Building parent trust… • meet them where they are at eas • use of language, vocabulary • know their child…tell them good things….and follow their child’s progress • notes home • homework • parents involved in assembly • plants and pets and equipment • educational visits just for parents • Inspire

13. Subject disciplines in context… school garden Rethinkinglearning international links choir scouts & guides school council orchestra collections retreats old people’s links clubs and societies volunteering expeditions charity work dance group school performance animal care mock trials assembly school teams health visitor band work experience fieldwork school newspaper Not add-ons or extra Rounded experience

14. Proportional representation… Teams Buddy team School performances Charity work Choirs School Council Can you recall..? The first time you… • were selected for a team or band or choir • were asked to represent your school • enjoyed a moment in the limelight SEND PP LAC Disadvantaged Lower set Young carers

16. The Children’s Quarter Gathering Schools and communities working together Mick Waters 20 November 2018