ParentsMatter Issue 13 | June 2008
Family Learning Festival 2008 National Family Learning Week (FLW) is an annual awareness campaign which highlights the importance of family learning. Tower Hamlets schools and settings have been involved with the national campaign for many years and, to celebrate 10 years of celebrations, FLW becomes a whole month with the Family Learning Festival 2008 in October. What are the benefits to families? Family Learning events offer the opportunity for parents and carers to get involved in a relaxed and informal atmosphere, picking up ideas for supporting and organising learning activities at home. These events not only reinforce the importance of learning through family participation but they also offer a second chance for parents, carers, and other family members to think about returning to learning.
What are the benefits to your school/settings? National Family Learning Week offers you a chance to do something different and make a difference in your community. By holding a Family Learning Week event you could: • attract new and existing parents/carers to come into your school, setting or venue • build new partnerships or strengthen existing ones • promote and signpost wider opportunities for learning in your school/settings and local area • try out innovative new ideas • contribute to the Every Child Matters agenda. It’s never too early to start planning! More information will be available in the next edition of Parents Matter but if you would like to find out more, please contact: Shelly Rahman, Family Events Co-ordinator, Parental Engagement Team on 020 7364 0972 or email
[email protected]
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School/setting activities with parents and carers
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Strengthening Families Strengthening Communities
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Extended Service News
10-12 Information and Training
Issue 13 | June 2008
School /setting activities with parents and carers Cyril Jackson Primary The Cyril Jackson Parent Literacy Group have been learning about the different ways that home and school literacies can link together. The group decided to make an alphabet wall hanging to be displayed in school. The project gave parents an opportunity to show their creative skills, to talk and work together and share their expertise. The group has helped many parents as a stress buster/confidence builder. "I enjoyed it. I learned something new. It was nice to see the finished product and I enjoyed working with other parents." Parul Begum Vivienne Hall, Class Teacher
Marner Primary Parents/carers at Marner Primary recently got together to form an embroidery group and worked incredibly hard during the course delivered by a very enthusiastic tutor from the Parental Engagement Team. The relaxed atmosphere enabled parents to enjoy a little time to themselves whilst refreshing their knowledge and learning new skills. The course included a visit to the Victoria and Albert museum to look at different types of embroidery and stitches from countries around the world. Parents commented that it was fascinating to see how different cultures and countries had such a wide variety of sewing styles. Parents took pictures, sketched and compared stitches with those they had learned, before producing some wonderful work back at school. The course has been so successful that a second course will be starting soon.
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My name is Gazala Maqsood, I have enjoyed all the five weeks of embroidery. I want more sessions please.
What parents said: • My name is Shanaz Aslam, I attended all the five week course of embroidery. Our teacher has been wonderful. We learned all types of stitches. I enjoy it very much, with my friends. • I am Khadije, I really enjoyed the embroidery course, it was nice because I learned many stitches which can help me to make any patterns, I wish to continue this course to make pattern for our house decoration. Ashana Choudhury and Magni Sims, Home School Liaison Workers For more information about embroidery courses available to schools/settings please contact
[email protected] or call 020 7364 1952.
June 2008 | Issue 13
Old Ford Primary School The parents/carers group at Old Ford Primary School have recently organised a variety of activities to raise funds for the school football team. The boys and the team coach, Wesley, promised to do the school proud when they run onto the pitch in their first football kit. The school is also funding its FIRST 'Helping in Schools' course, delivered by the WEA. This is well attended by 14 parents who are hoping to achieve a NVQ3 and a placement working within a school. This group also meets in each others houses to help each other with the enormous amount of paperwork needed to pass and are a fantastic support network for each other. Maureen Padmore, Home School Support Worker
Parents Swimming Group at Bygrove Primary With the help of Sharon Gibbs, Home School Support Worker, parents at Bygrove Primary have formed a swimming group. It all began when one parent approached Sharon to ask her advice about going swimming as she didn’t know how to go about it. Sharon, in agreement with the headteacher, gathered overwhelming interest from other parents and researched what discounts could be available to the group. The ‘Play and Pay’ scheme offers eligible Tower Hamlets residents the use of facilities at a discounted price. The local leisure centre also offered women only sessions.
“Had really good time, will definitely go again.”
14 parents turned up for the first session and, by the end of the six weeks, 20 mums had taken part. They enjoyed themselves so much so that they now meet up and go on a Monday and Thursday; they also use the sauna and have taken their children swimming with them. What parents said: “Enjoyed myself each week, plan to take children over the holidays.” “Enjoyed myself, go on Thursday evenings regularly now. Request another activity soon.” “Learnt to swim again and made some new friends.”
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Issue 13 | June 2008
Passport to Learning award at Stewart Headlam Parents who have been attending sewing classes at Stewart Headlam Primary had their hard work rewarded last term. 13 parents passed sewing tests set by tutor, Hasna Rahman, and received a Passport to Learning award in a school assembly. Parents spoke to the children about what they are learning in the Parents’ Centre and showed them some of their work which included shalwar kameez, embroidery and glass painting. “Since starting this class I have learnt many things. I am very happy and grateful that the school has given us this opportunity to further our skills. I would like to say to the children to tell your mums to come here and learn things”. Tahmina, parent at Stewart Headlam. For more information about Passport to Learning Project please contact Denise Hickford at
[email protected]
‘Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities’ Stepney Green Maths & Computing College The 13-week ‘Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities’ programme at Stepney Green came to an end on 19 May. Participants brought in dishes of food to share and celebrate their achievements. The programme started in January and was a rather disrupted journey, with the holidays and the bank holidays in between. However, there were no complaints about the length of course, rather demand for continuation of the good work! The group built a strong team spirit, trust and confidence. There were heated discussions, anger, frustration, emotions expressed and tears shed, but every week there was laughter. Humour and laughter became permanent companions of our journey together.
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Some parents have made huge progress, others continue to face challenges; however, all are adamant that this group continue to meet after the end of the programme. Hopefully, they will attend activities that regularly take place including the Parents’ Association monthly coffee sessions and Family Learning ICT. In May, the school had an Ofsted inspection and parental engagement was rated as an ‘outstanding’ feature of the school. We are also in the process of seeking accreditation for Quality in Extended Schools and seeking recognition for the Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA). The challenge to improve continues! Ayesha Begum, Community Project Leader
June 2008 | Issue 13
Parenting Programmes alongside extra curricular activities at Globe Primary School
When headteacher, Marie Maxwell, wanted Globe Primary School to run the ‘Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities’ Parenting Programme she was faced with the problem of how to provide a crèche for parents with younger children. Funding was available through the DCSF Parenting Pathfinder Project but where to set up a crèche? There was no room in school during the day and parents did not want to leave their children at a different location. Marie decided to keep the school open at the end of the day and invite parents in to join their children, bringing the younger siblings with them. The school nursery is designated as a crèche for the under-fives and the playground, main hall and computer suite are made available for the older children. Supervision was provided by trained staff from E-mploy and Play Association Tower Hamlets (PATH). 11 parents signed up for the 13 week programme and, between them, they had 30 children and young people
who enjoyed the various school facilities. Nobody functions well on an empty tummy so members of the Contract Services team came in and catered for everyone. Quote from Marie “Initially I was unsure if parents would be able to make the commitment to coming after school for the duration of the 13 week course. However my concerns were unfounded, as this is now the second ‘Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities’ course we have run after school. Parents appreciate the childcare facilities we offer and the fact that a meal is served to the adults and children. Feedback about the course content is extremely positive.” What parents said: “I want to do the best I can for my family and be a great 'mummy'”. Sabiha “It’s good to be able to learn from different people”. Bilkis “I never knew how much there was to learn about being a parent”. Shahanaz
United We Stand! Harbinger and St Edmunds’ parents have joined forces for a ‘Strengthening Families Strengthening Communities’ course, which is being held on Wednesday mornings at the Docklands Settlement. By working together, the schools are able to make use of community facilities and pool resources. Parents are getting to know each other and are becoming familiar with other venues outside of school. Harbinger School now hope that some parents from St Edmunds will start to use their toy library and attend the Bengali class. Janet Mascarenas, School Home Support Worker
For further information about ‘Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities’ Programmes contact Tom Morris or Andy Simons on 020 7364 1537 Parents Matter Newsletter
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Issue 13 | June 2008
Bead String Project During the spring term, eight primary schools around Tower Hamlets took part in the bead string project. This project involved targeting Key Stage 1 families and working with parents to support their child’s maths learning at home. Through use of the bead string, parents were provided with a range of fun activity ideas that they could try at home with their child. Each parent and child received a bead string, a special velvet pouch and a carry bag to bring the string to and from school. At the end of each session in school, parents were provided with activity cards as reminders of tasks they could try at home. One staff member said, “We have always had bead strings in school but I never knew you could do so much with them until now!” The enthusiasm from children and staff encouraged excellent parent participation across the schools. At Seven Mills Primary School, parents and children from a year 2 class were the focus of the project. Children encouraged their parents to come into school by designing their own invitations to take home. The school was extremely pleased with the number of parents attending their bead string workshop and hope that they will be able to continue with similar parent activities in the future. Chisenhale Primary School was also involved in the project and targeted their Year 1 children and parents. They invited parents into school for three bead string sessions. Sarah Daggett, parental engagement co-ordinator, felt that the highlight of the sessions was definitely the opportunity for the children to share their knowledge of the bead strings with their parents in class.
We would like to say a huge well done to all of the project schools for their success at engaging parents in supporting their child’s maths at home. Congratulations go to Manorfield Primary, Seven Mills Primary, Thomas Buxton Infants, Marner Primary, Lawdale Junior, Shapla Primary, St John’s Primary and Chisenhale Primary School. Following this exciting and successful pilot, the Bead String Project will, from September 2008, be extended to all Tower Hamlets Schools who have Year 1 children. Participating schools will be given funding to buy a bead string and pouch for every Year 1 child with the expectation that they will organise some sessions for parents based around maths at home using the resource. Class teachers should also reinforce the use of the bead string in school and through homework. Schools can request support in the organisation and content of their sessions for parents. More information on the project will be in the Headteachers’ Bulletin in September, when schools will be able to opt for the term in which they wish to run the project. Sandra Roberts, Numeracy Consultant What parents said: “Very informative session and easy to understand.”
“It is great for us to know what our children are doing in class!” 6
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“It is the first time my child has brought something home from school, as homework, that I have really felt involved in.” “I have really enjoyed using the beads with my child and coming to the workshop, the sessions were really friendly”.
June 2008 | Issue 13
Discover Poplar by bike: Families who are interested in exploring their local community are now able to hire bikes from the Trussler Community Centre. All bikes come with accessories to make the cycle ride as safe as possible and child safety seats are available upon request. The bikes are maintained by Trussler Hall staff. For more information and prices, contact Trussler Hall on 020 7510 9770. Terms and conditions apply. Advanced booking is required. Trussler Community Hall, 78 Grundy Street, Poplar E14 6DR
Parents as Partners in Early Years (PPEL) The PPEL is a project that was run from September 2007 – March 2008. It effectively sustained ways of securing parental involvement in children’s early learning (particularly early communications, language and literacy). This phase of the project finished at the end of March, culminating with eight road shows in the Children’s Centres where the Early Learning Mentors were based. They were all a great success; many families attended and had great fun with a range of different activities that were on offer.
Tower Hamlets were showcased at the PPEL National Dissemination Conference for London and South East where a DVD of the project was shown and the Early Learning Mentors ran a workshop. The Future of PPEL The project will be continued on a smaller scale and work with some of the settings/schools who were part of the Phase 1 project as well as some new ones. For further information contact Jill Jeyes by email:
[email protected]
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Issue 13 | June 2008
Extended Service News Stepney Green School Community Fun Day at Wednesday 11th June 2008, from 4.00-6.30pm. This will be a wonderful opportunity for families and local people from the community to come along, socialise, learn and enjoy various activities on offer. The school PE department will be hosting a range of sports activities which people will be able to participate in. They will also have musical performances from pupils. The school would like to provide a range of activities such as arts/crafts, jumble sale, family learning taster sessions, information stalls, face painting and bouncy castle etc. Local schools and community organisations are strongly encouraged to attend and use this opportunity to share your good work and expertise.
National Smile Month 2008 Extended Services and the Public Health Team (Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust) have been working with schools across the borough to deliver activities and workshops for parents and children in celebration of National Smile Month. National Smile Month 2008 runs from the 18th May - 17th June, promoting good oral health. Oral health refers to the care of the teeth, gums and mouth. The month is the biggest annual oral health campaign in the country, taking key oral health information to millions of people nationwide. It aims to raise awareness of oral health and the long term benefits that come with maintaining a healthy mouth. The Public Health Team are setting up information stalls in various schools for pupils and parents to visit. They are also delivering interactive workshops to pupils in classes and to parents in schools, with activities and support on how to keep children's teeth and gums healthy. After the month is over, Extended Services will be working with the Public Health Team to have a rolling programme of similar activities for pupils and parents in and through schools throughout the year. If you would like more information on how to access dental services and advice on supporting your family in maintaining good oral health, please contact Tricia Wallace, Community Dental Access Manager at the Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust on 020 7683 4155 or send an email:
[email protected]
If you would like to participate please contact Ayesha Begum (Community Project Leader) email: ayeshabegum@stepneygreen. towerhamlets.sch.uk
For more information about Extended Services contact:
It's easy to look after your teeth... Brush them twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and eat less sweets and sugary drinks.
Fiona Stokes LAPs 1 & 2:
[email protected] Shabbir Ahmed LAPs 3 & 4:
[email protected] Ben Cole LAPs 5 & 6:
[email protected] Ben Williams LAPs 7 & 8:
[email protected]
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Produced by Health Information East London 2008
June 2008 | Issue 13
Booktime Booktime is a UK community programme set up in 2006 by education and publishing company Pearson in association with independent charity Booktrust, in partnership with local authorities, libraries and schools. In the last two years, Booktime has given over a million free books to children starting primary school across the UK.
Tower Hamlets, Parental Engagement Advisors, Children’s Librarians, an Early Years Advisory teacher and Home Liaison worker teamed up to provide two after school two-hour training sessions for education practitioners in all schools. Sessions offered guidance on running tailored family reading workshops for parents and carers in schools, adapted from the Funnybones resource packs.
The gift book for this coming school year is Harry and the Dinosaurs go to School, by well known author Ian Whybrow and illustrator Adrian Reynolds, published by Puffin. These books will be in schools during September/October 2008. Book packs also contain a guidance booklet for parents and carers with tips on shared reading, available in 15 community languages. Book packs in England will also contain a special abridged edition of The Puffin Book of Fantastic First Poems, edited by June Crebbin. This is an exciting development, linking with Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen’s campaign to raise the profile of children’s poetry. Every participating school and library in England receives a free resource pack to facilitate linked classroom and family reading activities and enhance the children’s enjoyment of the gift book.
Booktime in the Home Parents and carers have responded enthusiastically to Booktime. According to the independent evaluation report produced in February 2007: • Almost all parents and carers (94%) said they had read the book to their child • Virtually all parents and carers (98%) said their child enjoyed listening to the book at home and that their child had enjoyed talking about the book (95%) • 94% said they would be likely to read other books in the series with their child • Nearly 1 in 5 (around 50,000) parents and carers said they would be likely to read more to their children as a result of the Booktime programme The guidance booklet on shared reading for parents and carers, available in 15 community languages, can be ordered free by emailing
[email protected] or downloading them from our website www.booktime.pearson.com, where you can find out more about Booktime.
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Issue 13 | June 2008
Bowled over by Brit: Christ Church Primary Over 150 school children from East London swapped their classrooms for the historic grounds of the Brit Insurance Oval in London by taking part in the Lloyd’s Cricket Cup and Coaching Day on 25 April 2008. The annual sports event was run by Lloyd’s Community Programme with volunteers from the programme and support from Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership. Pupils, aged 10 to 11 years, from six schools in Tower Hamlets took part in coaching sessions and then the cricket tournament. James Wright, Head of IT Operations from Beazley was involved in the coaching sessions at Christ Church School and commented, “It has
been really inspirational to see the school children develop and improve their cricket skills over the coaching sessions. Even if only one or two from Christ Church take up cricket after this event that will be a real achievement.” Taking part in the cricket tournament, Carol Rider, teacher at Christ Church School said: “This year the experience of taking part in the tournament has been enhanced due to the support of the volunteers from Beazley coming into our school for the coaching sessions. As Christ Church is in Brick Lane in Tower Hamlets, our pupils have no experience of playing on a grass pitch and to be able to play at the Brit Insurance Oval is a marvellous experience for them.” Christ Church School winners of the Lloyd's Cup
Ofsted Inspections Congratulations to the following schools, which have been rated as good or outstanding in their latest Ofsted inspection: St Agnes RC Primary (Good) Wellington Primary (Good) William Davis (Outstanding) Secondary: Bishop Challoner Catholic Collegiate Boys School (Good) Bishop Challoner Catholic Collegiate Girls School (Good) Stepney Green Maths & Computing College (Good)
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If you would like to share any of your work please contact: Jill McGinley (Parental Engagement Advisor) on 020 7364 4946 or
[email protected]
June 2008 | Issue 13
Recommended websites Family and Parenting Institute
[email protected] National Year of Reading
www.yearofreading.org.uk National Literacy Trust
www.literacytrust.org.uk Pound a Poem
www.poundapoem.co.uk School – Home – Support
www.schoolhomesupport.org.uk Campaign for Learning (Family Learning Festival) www.campaign-for-learning.org.uk Leisure activities in Tower Hamlets http://www.towerhamletssports.org.uk/searchresults.aspx?centres= true&navtitle=Sports%20Centres
Booktime www.booktime.pearson.com National Academy for Parenting Practitioners NAPP www.parentingacadamy.org New online resources for parenting practitioners Fathers http://www.parentingacademy.org/napp index.aspx?page=fathers Families affected by parental substance misuse http://www.parentingacademy.org/napp index.aspx?page=drugs http://www.parentingacademy.org/napp index.aspx?page=fathers
National Family Learning Network NFLN Conference
Parents Advice Centre The Parents Advice Centre provides information, support and advice to parents and carers of children with special educational needs, children at risk of exclusion or excluded from school and children needing a school place. PAC drop-in advice No appointment needed, every Tuesday 9.30 – 3.30 Claim the Max: Welfare Benefits Advice Every Monday from 9.30 - 12noon. Appointment needed, please call the PAC Educational Psychologist Advice for parents and carers First Tuesday of every month, 9.30 – 11.30. Appointment needed, please call PAC SEN Parents Support Group An open group for parents and carers of children with special educational needs. Every Thursday 10-12noon at PAC. All welcome, just drop in. Choice Admissions Advice Advice and support for parents and carers looking for a Year 7 place for their child. Please contact Rashmi Deb at PAC. Transition Meetings For parents of children with statements of special educational needs in Year 4 and Year 5. Dates to be confirmed, please call the PAC for more information. The Bengali Parents Group Meeting at the PAC on 17th June 2008 from 10.00-12.00noon. Please call the PAC for more information. Parents Advice Centre, 85 Harford Street, London E1 4PY. Tel: 020 7364 6489
Families Learning and Community Cohesion 10th July 2008 For more information contact
[email protected] Parents Matter Newsletter
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Issue 13 | June 2008
Training Programme For school and setting staff developing work with parents Parents, Families and the Community – cross phase An opportunity to share good practice and explore possibilities within cluster groups and collaborative working. There will be a range of information/resources available to extend and enrich the school/setting offer. Date: Wednesday 11th June Time: 4.15 – 5.30 Communicating with Parents/Parent Voice – cross phase Participants will explore effective methods of communication and be given information on planning, facilitating and evaluating a Parent Voice Event. All participants will receive a facilitator pack to take back to their setting. Date: Monday 30th June Time: 4.15- 5.30 Family Learning Week Information Session A practical session for school/setting staff planning Family Learning Week activities and events. All attendees will receive a free Family Learning Week information pack and ‘goody bag’. Date: Thursday 18th September Time: 4.15-5.30 Community Interpreting Course This NOCN level 2/3 accredited course is for bi-lingual front-line, support staff and volunteers working in schools, Children’s Centres & early years settings. Induction session: Thursday 25th September 9.30 – 12.00 Course dates: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd Oct 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th Nov 4th, 11th Dec For more information or to book your place on any of the above courses please contact: Husna Begum 020 7364 1952 or email:
[email protected]
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Training Courses to Support Integrated Working (including CAF/TAC/LP) The Support for Learning Service are planning to offer training to support the Every Child Matters agenda, integrated working and the common core of skills and knowledge as half day modular courses. It is intended that the modules will eventually cover a range of topics including: • The Common Assessment Framework • Team Around the Child work including the role of the Lead Professional • Working Effectively with Parents • Information Sharing • Training in the use of eCAF/THISchild on line • Links with Child Protection/Safeguarding Training LAP focused training dates are available, for further information contact ECM training: 0207 364 6440 or email
[email protected] • Monday 16th June - Where to now? Signposting and helping to support parents and during and after a SFSC programme Janette Byran and Assata Owens • Wednesday 18th June - Dealing with challenging facilitation situation Amina Lone and Beverley West • Monday 23rd June - Where to now? Signposting and helping to support parents and during and after a SFSC programme Janette Byran and Assata Owens • Monday 7th July - Dealing with Challenging facilitation situations Amina Lone and Beverley West The workshops run between 9:30 - 4:30 p.m. The venue is the Professional Development Centre (PDC), English Street, London E3 4TA. These workshops are free and lunch is included. Places are limited so please book as soon as possible by e-mail to
[email protected] or call Florence Browne-Marke on 020 7364 4127 Priority will be given to Facilitators from Pathfinder schools or organisations.
