January 2008

January – it has to be the very worse month of the year doesn’t it?  The Christmas celebrations are finally over and the dusty decorations returned to their box leaving behind a faint trace of scented pine needles, cloves and glitter in the carpet.  And what a legacy the absent Christmas decorations leave behind – the credit card is groaning, the bins overflowing and unopened toys still sit in their boxes, forlornly piled up in a corner.  Not to mention the horrible coughs and sneezes that hit the Fareham area by force over the festive period.  But when my two children finally dragged their heels back to their respective schools on that endless first day; muffled up in their new hats and scarves, clutching their lunchboxes (containing leftover M&S shortbread, a slightly over-ripe Satsuma, a handful of dates and a solitary Twix from their selection box) it was also time for me to bounce back into my duties after a lovely week’s break from the office. 

And I have certainly returned to a jam-packed month (which is more than can be said for my children's lunchboxes!)   I can barely believe that it’s  February and I have been too busy to update my Blog (other than adding the recent minutes of the partnership meetings; which I shall endeavour to add to the Meetings Page as soon as I receive them).  Please use the link if you miss a meeting and need information about the future agenda, past minutes and dates for your diary.

Firstly, many thanks must go to the following for their very useful input this month: Diana (Manager of the Oak Meadow Children’s Centre), Sue (Extended Services, Heathfield School), Sarah (Portchester Community Centre Manager), and the many people who have either spoken to me in person, by phone or at various meetings.  My local knowledge and contact list is growing daily, and shall be invaluable during the coming year.  I hope they take the opportunity to view these pages to keep them informed of how we are progressing.

The theme I have chosen to focus on this month is School Remodelling. 

As consultation is essential to the success and sustainability of any project; I felt that it may be useful to offer some links to methods that can be used creatively within the school setting.  To introduce the concept of how consultation is an essential element in the processes of school remodelling I have inserted a useful video link below:

My first November Blog described how change from a comfort zone can be an uncomfortable experience. Change inevitably provokes rational, emotional and political responses.  It is rarely the political or rational reasons why resistance to change occurs – emotions can be a very powerful force (I likened this to Linus surrendering his comfort blanket).  Therefore for remodelling to be successful and sustainable there must be:

·        a compelling reason to change

·        a clear vision for the future

·        and a coherent plan for getting there

Remodelling has been proven as an effective approach to managing change that encourages and enables positive and lasting change. It embeds a proactive culture where staff have the skills, experience, confidence and commitment to apply an effective remodelling approach to all significant challenges at all times.  Source: http://www.tda.gov.uk/remodelling/managingchange/remodellingprocess.aspx

So what has this got to do with extended services you ask?

One of my recommendations (click here to read the ES Feb 2008 report) for schools in East Fareham has been to formulate a School Change Team in each setting.  Change teams are not simply comprised of the headteacher and senior leadership team. An extended group should include representatives of teachers and support staff, and, where possible, pupils, parents, governors, unions, agencies and other local organisations.  Change teams can soon become an integral part of school life; often with profound and positive effect upon the school.  And this is where the link with extended services exists.  It will be therefore be the responsibility of the School Change Team for planning and implementing extended services - as any one person within a school setting is unable to manage such profound change in isolation.

If you do require any hefty reading materials regarding ‘Management of Educational Change’ (well regarded by my old university colleagues as a natural remedy for stress-induced insomnia) I’m sure I still have some of my old textbooks on the subject hanging around somewhere. 

Somehow I can’t imagine a mad rush for that particular offer!

Although I am space limited to how much information I can insert here; the tda and teachernet web sites have plenty of information and resources to support school remodelling that are far more interesting than my dusty old management books.  The winter 2007 Children's Centre and Extended Services Newsletter also offers a brief outline of the school improvement framework and starting schools project.  It also contains details of all the extended services coordinators in Hampshire so it's well worth a look.

Now I must request help from stakeholders - if you are kindly able to display the following poster in any appropriate settings please show you support for a fantastic community venture planned for Fareham by The Rainbow Centre for conductive education.  It is also an opportunity for recruiting and promoting volunteering to young people. The Rainbow Centre is very dear to my heart as my God-daughter is receiving world-class treatment for cerebral palsy and therefore I have been privileged to witness the wonderful work they do. Download your poster below:

Rainbow Centre V Festival Poster

To end this month’s Blog, I just wish to reiterate that please do not be afraid to ask me to do anything (within reason…for instance, I’m not very good with power tools) that may make this transition into extended schools a smoother process.   I cannot stress enough how the valuable input from all of our stakeholders is essential to ensure that the child remains firmly at the centre of any change. 

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STOP PRESS – due to a clash with a national Extended Services Conference to be held in London on the 31 March 2008, sadly the Fareham East Extended Services Conference has been postponed for the meantime.  I shall send details at the earliest convenience when we set a revised date.  However I would strongly urge attendance at a county event - Hampshire Extended Services Conference on 28 March 2008, where I shall be representing Fareham Community Action and Fareham East Extended Services and Children's Centre partnership.  Details of this conference can be viewed by clicking the link below:

X-Factor ES Conference 28 March

Booking Form

I hope to see you there!