Thursday, 12 November 2009
Dusting Off the Paintpots.....
Running an Extended Schools Programme continues to be a rewarding but nevertheless a constantly challenging experience! The governmental initiative came about as a way of improving the attainment of pupils beyond the traditional classroom, returning to the holistic, child-centred approach that I wholly believed in when I trained as a teacher in the early eighties.
It is a common belief that since the introduction of league tables, children are taught to jump through hoops, with overwhelming pressure on pupils to achieve high grades in core subjects, rather than address individual needs or appreciate the benefits of the creative aspects of learning. Thankfully the tide has changed, and our schools are embracing the wider curriculum. Key skills are now embedded within all subjects, paint pots are being dusted off, and through initiatives such as the Food for Life Programme, children are exploring enriching learning opportunities providing essential life skills that have been lost by a generation, throughout their childhood and into their adult lives.
Every Child Matters (an agenda that was initiated as a result of the tragic death of Victoria Climbie) is now embedded within a school's ethos, and Extended Schools enhances this by making Every Family Matter.
There is the potential to make powerful improvements to our community; a move away from multiculturalism (which to a certain extent concentrated on celebrating differences), towards community cohesion, whereby communities can grow and strengthen through mutual respect and interests.
I would love to know what the general opinion of our community is on this subject. Whilst my colleagues in other Boroughs talk of volunteers queuing up to participate in school led activities, despite listening to what I'm told is required, I have to cancel classes due to lack of interest. The purpose of this website to is act as a useful signposting tool, and become a platform for our community to grow, where those with similar interests and needs can be helped to achieve greater success, self-worth and happiness.
It is a common belief that since the introduction of league tables, children are taught to jump through hoops, with overwhelming pressure on pupils to achieve high grades in core subjects, rather than address individual needs or appreciate the benefits of the creative aspects of learning. Thankfully the tide has changed, and our schools are embracing the wider curriculum. Key skills are now embedded within all subjects, paint pots are being dusted off, and through initiatives such as the Food for Life Programme, children are exploring enriching learning opportunities providing essential life skills that have been lost by a generation, throughout their childhood and into their adult lives.
Every Child Matters (an agenda that was initiated as a result of the tragic death of Victoria Climbie) is now embedded within a school's ethos, and Extended Schools enhances this by making Every Family Matter.
There is the potential to make powerful improvements to our community; a move away from multiculturalism (which to a certain extent concentrated on celebrating differences), towards community cohesion, whereby communities can grow and strengthen through mutual respect and interests.
I would love to know what the general opinion of our community is on this subject. Whilst my colleagues in other Boroughs talk of volunteers queuing up to participate in school led activities, despite listening to what I'm told is required, I have to cancel classes due to lack of interest. The purpose of this website to is act as a useful signposting tool, and become a platform for our community to grow, where those with similar interests and needs can be helped to achieve greater success, self-worth and happiness.
Friday, 23 October 2009
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