This week I am concentrating on WE4, the last of the 'WE's to be featured in my weekly focus, and the last Heads Up from me as I hand over to Paul Senior next week.
WE4, the time when we pass the daily responsibility for young people on to the ‘outside world’ is a testament to all that has gone before. We say; ‘Our challenge is to champion employability by promoting the best opportunities for all learners so that … young people can take on the responsibilities of adult life and wider participation in higher education, … and move successfully into sustainable employment’.
Warwickshire’s Skills for Employment programme is unique. In last week's Heads Up we reported on Prince Edward's recent visit to Campion School (if you missed it you can read it here). At The Coleshill School, when I spoke with two young people at risk of being NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), who were benefiting from work placements, I was most impressed at their positive attitude towards the future.
At the recent Headteachers' Conference, we heard about a myriad of examples of school staff going the extra mile to ensure that children who are facing challenges are nurtured and supported to succeed. We are now compiling local case studies for the next meeting of the Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee. I have been reading these and want to share highlights with you:
Phoebe, who had a troubled start to school, steadily caught up and was achieving at least as well as her peers in Year Six. James was supported to move on from homelessness to the Cyrenians Team Programme. The managers at his hotel placement were so impressed with his professionalism and conduct that he was offered a job in all three departments in which he worked during his placement. Lisa, having spent three years as a young in-patient herself, has moved into a job as a specialist nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Parents volunteering in schools have moved into successful employment as Teaching Assistants. These examples all bring WE4 to life.
Looking back over my year in Warwickshire, my best memories will be the times that I visited schools and saw the determination to make a difference to people’s lives. At Oak Wood School younger children sang proudly for assembled guests, developing their confidence, their future employability, while we networked to achieve more supported internships in Nuneaton. We are aiming for 100 supported internships this year. These opportunities can turn around lives, for example Natasha, who went to Oak Wood School, took part in the supported internship scheme at gas distribution company Cadent, (formerly National Grid), and gained experience in a range of work areas, plus Entry Level 3 qualifications. She now works for the British Forces Resettlement Services.
I recently attended the Coventry Diocese Schools’ Centenary Celebration (see photo above) which was not only uplifting but also extremely well organised. I was in awe of the faultless performances from children and young people and a procession of children carrying the seventy five school banners through the cathedral. I spotted the head girl and head boy who had shown me round their school recently; a school facing many challenges including a less than good Ofsted judgement, turbulent roll and deficit budget. The two children had told me how much they value their school, and shared their positive aspirations as they grow up in our complex 21st Century world. We know that behind children’s hopes and aspirations, as well as parents and carers, are the teachers, headteachers, teaching assistants and all school staff who work tirelessly on a daily basis. I am so proud of you all.
Chris Malone, Covering the role of Assistant Director Education Services