September 2008   

A man gazing on the stars is proverbially at the mercy of the puddles in the road

Alexander Smith, Men of Letters

Welcome back and I hope that everyone has settled down well into the new academic year?  Firstly, before I start going off on one of my usual airy (and occasionally hairy) dialogues this month, I would like to extend my congratulations to Gay Shelley from Northern Infant School on behalf of the partnership.  Gay has kindly agreed to represent us at the National Head Teacher's Conference in November to discuss extended services.  I think that everyone will agree with me that Gay has worked extremely hard on the extended services agenda and shared vision for Portchester, and is a very worthy representative for Hampshire schools on effective partnership working.  Thank you Gay - the quote above has been specially selected for you.

We are right behind you with our shared vision of positive outcomes for all children in Fareham East; wearing our wellies!

I also have some other exciting and news-worthy items this month to share with you all...

The first news item is that the Mayor has agreed to present the prize to our "Space to Enjoy Childhood" competition winner at the October CAT meeting.  I still have a few loose ends to tie up beforehand, but I hope that as many of you as possible will attend the meeting on the evening of Wednesday 22 October at 7.00pm at Portchester Methodist Church to show our support. 

The second fantastic piece of news is that Portchester Community School partnership have managed to secure the £25,000 Lottery Heritage Bid for staging our community play: D-Day, Discos and Downloads.  Happily the bid met all of the necessary criteria; particularly as it will enable young people to achieve, and enjoy, something quite dynamic for themselves.  It is hoped that it will also be an effective way of bringing many different generations together...and perhaps even breakdown some of the disharmony and stereo-typing between young people and the older generation.   As you can imagine it will be 'all guns blazing' now to get this project up and running before the new year, so the partnership group would be happy to hear from any groups or individuals who may be able to offer assistance.  There's no money on offer I'm afraid (In fact I'm going out with my begging bowl for more resources), but the feel-good factor of being part of something this BIG will be a reward in itself. 

Thirdly, I'm proud to announce that TrailBlazers has now commenced at Harrison Primary this term with a selected group of children; with Cams Hill close on their heels setting up the scheme.  This has been possible through extended services funding and effective  school and community partnership working.  If you require more information about TrailBlazers outdoor education, or would like details of the training programme, then please take a visit to: http://www3.hants.gov.uk/education/trailblazer.   As I am also firm believer that every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstance (as I'm from a small New Forest town where there was little choice for girls except ponies or pubs), please feel free to download the following reports:

                  Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto

Learning Outside the Classroom Evaluation Report (2008)

The final piece of excellent news is that Portchester cluster schools have been offered three years' funding to support a Parent Support Advisor.  If you are unsure of the Parent Support Advisor's role, then I have two resource packs from the tda that I'm happy to deliver (also available to order or download at the tda website); but in a nutshell this should enable our partnership a seamless method of providing support for parents (and/or those fulfilling a parenting role) on that long journey from minus 9 months to young adulthood...and hopefully overcome any stumbling blocks that may occur on that journey. 

What a huge bonus for hitting our targets for 'parenting support' full core offer - and far earlier than I could have hoped.

Please feel free to take a peek at the video link below for a Head Teacher's perspective of the impact of the PSA. 

Headteacher views on the impact of the PSA role (8:41 min)

More videos about the PSA project are also available to view at: http://www.tda.gov.uk/remodelling/extendedschools/whatarees/parentingsupport/psa_project/video.aspx

Now we are on the theme of parenting -  has anyone noticed that anything aimed at 'parents' tend to attract mums?

It has come to my notice that our dads are often overlooked when we talk about 'parenting', especially when we have such strong evidence of the positive impact dads can have upon their child's learning.  This is particularly relevant when we look at local data on the increase in family breakdown and the changing dynamics of the family unit, so encouraging dads to take a pro-active part in their child's education is becoming increasingly important for raising aspirations and attainment. 

Recent research indicates that dads have a very positive and long term effect on children's outcomes, so the Fareham East Extended Services Partnership have been trying to find innovative ways of engaging with fathers.  And engagement basically means starting off by going to where people are - and not giving up if the first attempt doesn't work!  To explain this in simple terms: if Tesco wants my custom but I'd rather go to Sainsbury's, then Tesco doesn't just send me a letter - it goes out of its way to grab my attention and offer me things I might want.   

So a half-price wine promotion at Tesco would probably see me hunting for my recyclable shopping bags!

Further research has found that dads are most likely to get involved when there is a specific strategy for including them, and where staff are dedicated to this (particularly if this strategy includes male staff or other dads).  So with this in mind, the partnership is hoping to kick-start a strategy to engage dads at our Dad's Family Day Out this weekend.   As well as being a fantastic day out with the kids at Paultons Park, the selected group of Harrison dads have been given the following information about the trip:

Ø      A group of dads have come together to look at how we can be more involved in our children’s learning and development

Ø      There is research evidence that shows fathers have a positive, long term affect on children’s outcomes. These include better exam results, behaviour, attendance, attitude and progress at school, interest in books and intellectual and mathematical development

Ø      These benefits are independent of the positive impact mothers can have on children but dads are traditionally less likely to be involved in their children’s schooling

Ø      There are already  lots of opportunities for parents/carers to become involved in their children’s schooling but Harrison is always looking to improve ways in which the school and parents can work together

Ø      We would like to find out the views of other dads and mums about how the school can further support dads and family men to be involved in their children’s schooling

Ø      This trip has been organised to raise awareness of this idea and to start to get your thoughts (through a questionnaire - to be returned when booking your tickets) as well as the chance to have a great family day out!

As soon as we have evaluated the outcomes and impact of this event then I shall ensure this is available for all of our partners.  Many thanks to Steve Summerton (Deputy Head Teacher at Harrison), Scott Hickman (Harrison Parent Governor) and the enthusiastic group of Harrison dads who have carried out the organisation for the trip (with a special mention to the school admin staff for their hard work behind the scenes).  We're all looking forward to Steve's lunchtime doughnuts, followed by the group adrenaline-fuelled trip on the Cobra Rollercoaster! 

An interesting combination methinks!

In the meantime, to further support fathers in their parenting role, please take a visit to the following new websites specifically for dads.  Please note that these may be used for signposting additional information, support and advice at your individual setting:

.The National Literacy Trust have also produced a magazine for professionals with ideas for getting fathers and male carers to read with their children.  If you've never worked with dads before, or would just like some extra ideas for working with fathers, then please feel free to download your copy below:

Getting Blokes on Board

Is your organisation engaging with fathers in a positive way?   I am always interested to hear any further innovative ideas or suggestions for getting "Blokes on Board" that I can share with our schools, Children's Centres and community partners.   Many thanks my friend who sent this 'alternative' suggestion:

Now as this is the 'extended services' website for East Fareham with lots of useful stuff for schools, I thought that it might be useful before I finish my blog for this month by giving a few study support ideas.  The following resources are from our kind friends at ContinYou and can be set up as breakfast, lunchtime or after-school clubs to enrich the curriculum.

Book It - Reading Club.  How to set up an out of school hours reading club Booklet and Activity Pack

Sum It - Maths Club.  How to set up an out of school hours maths club Booklet and Activity Pack

Singing For Success - A guide to setting up a signing group Booklet and Activity Sheet

There are far more ideas and resources for out of school study support for both primary and secondary level at ContinYou's web pages, so please take a look at:

http://continyou.org.uk/what_we_do/children_and_young_people

I shall also be meeting with the Manager of the Ashcroft Arts Centre shortly to discuss creative workshops (such as craft, drama & yoga) for our schools and how we may work in partnership to provide a rich and varied menu of activities.  If you have any individual requests or requirements, particularly to ensure that your out-of-school provision is fully inclusive, then please do not hesitate to contact me beforehand.

Until next month, I shall love you and leave you with the following light-hearted account of being a parent:

BEING A PARENT

1. Children seldom miss-quote you.  In fact they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.

2. You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up.

3. The main reason for holding children's parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own.

3. Mothers of teenagers know why some animals eat their young.

4. We childproof our homes - and somehow they still get in!

5. Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your own children.

If you find you have a lot of tension and a headache after reading this month's blog, then take two aspirin and do what it says on the bottle:

Keep away from children!

Susie Higgs (ESCO)

Bless - where would be without them?

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