SOUTH YORKSHIRE FUTURES 03 Introduction Foreword from the South Yorkshire from Mayor Dan Jarvis MP MBE Futures team

South Yorkshire Futures was launched in 2017 by Hallam University in partnership with local authorities and schools. The programme had a clear aim: to drive long term improvements in the educational health of the region by working with partners to improve attainment and aspiration from early years through to further and higher education.

e recognise there is an attainment gap in a t is not a coincidence that some of my It should not be a matter of political northern region with relatively high levels of most important manifesto commitments debate that our children and young people deprivation — a legacy of deindustrialisation in related to education, young people, and need to be safe, healthy and emotionally the 1980s and later austerity. The data shows skills. It was always clear to me how critical secure. That every child and young person Wthat young people in South Yorkshire are less likely to achieve thoseI concerns were to driving social mobility, must have the opportunities, pathways good GCSEs and to higher education than peers in boosting our economy, and working to ensure and support to learn, prosper and fulfil south-east England. But even before school, attainment gaps are that every young person got the best start in life. their aspirations. apparent between children of different backgrounds. On average, For a stronger and fairer South Yorkshire, this Where you grow It is so important that all children disadvantaged children are four months behind on language was where we needed to focus effort and make up shouldn’t and young people, regardless of their development than their more privileged peers at age five. The a big difference. determine where backgrounds, have an equal chance to gap grows wider as they get older and this has been attributed I’m grateful that not long into my role I was learn, make new friends and widen their to a lack of learning opportunities and encouragement at home. introduced to the South Yorkshire Futures team you end up. But far range of experiences. Where you grow up We believe that a good education is the essential foundation at Sheffield Hallam University. I realised they too often, it does.” shouldn’t determine where you end up. children need to build their life on. not only shared the same goals but could do But far too often, it does. For young people higher education may be a path to much to help us achieve them. That is why South Yorkshire Futures’ prosperity , but many South Yorkshire school children feel that South Yorkshire Futures is incredibly mission to help the young people of our this is not an option for them. We want to enable every young committed to the cause. They see it as their region is also my mission as Mayor. person growing up in South Yorkshire to become the best mission to raise aspirations and improve And as we strive to recover from the version of themselves by having access to high quality teaching, educational attainment across the region, deep and painful effects of a pandemic strong careers advice, excellent work experience and the ability especially for those young people who need which has hit South Yorkshire especially to develop social capital. We believe that where you grow up our support the most. hard, this work is more important should not define your future. In true Yorkshire style, they are relentless than ever. The aim of the programme is to raise attainment and in their pursuit of ‘getting things done’. They I’m proud to support this important aspiration – and we have identified the building blocks that have shown that through their inspiring work scheme which is making a real difference will help to achieve this. In the following pages you will find on early years development, the Children’s in our communities. Together, we will examples of how the programme is giving young people in South University, teacher recruitment, and trauma continue working to demolish the barriers Yorkshire a fighting chance of achieving their true potential, informed schools, to name just a few. holding back our young people. regardless of their background.

Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the many partners we have worked with during the last few years. The very essence of South Yorkshire Futures is collaboration and we could not have led and supported the many projects in this brochure without them. 04 05

PARENTCHILD+ We supported the national charity Family Lives to bid for funding COVID-19 for and to launch a new project RESOURCES Our Story: Our Vision aiming to prepare disadvantaged During the Covid-19 UK-wide preschool children for school. lockdown, we worked with ParentChild+ aims to improve long-standing partner Trauma the home-learning environment Informed Schools UK and Nifty through home visits, encouraging Fox Creative to put together PARTNERSHIPS FOR rich and meaningful parent-child a suite of resources for those ATTAINMENT LAUNCHED interaction to promote positive looking after children, to support behaviour and literacy skills in them in explaining the situation preparation for school. and supporting mental health.

ONE-YEAR-ON EVENT SOUTH YORKSHIRE CHILDREN’S At our one-year-on event we convened with UNIVERSITY FUNDING PROGRAMME over 250 of our partners and stakeholders LAUNCHED to celebrate our first year of progress. Mayor Dan Jarvis pledged his support of RECEIVED EARLY YEARS the programme and outlined partnership COMMUNITY RESEARCH funding for key projects. We also unveiled CENTRE FUNDING our Regional Vision for Early Years.

2017 2018 2019 2020

July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr June Our work continues Our

SUTTON TRUST FIRST GET INTO SCHOOL GOVERNOR RESEARCH TEACHING EVENT CHAMPION PLEDGE GROW MENTORING PUBLISHED PROGRAMME The Sutton Trust Mobility Map LAUNCHED ranks constituencies in the UK on We’re working with the Northern levels of social mobility. In July Powerhouse Partnership to recruit 2017, the map showed that of the and train Sheffield Hallam University 14 South Yorkshire constituencies, graduates as mentors, who will 10 have very low or low social EARLY be deployed in schools across the mobility. South Yorkshire Futures region to support returning pupils. launched later that year with the OUTCOMES The initial pilot phase saw incoming aim of improving educational PROJECT year 11 pupils in the region provided attainment and raising aspirations FUNDING with a personal mentor, with a focus for young people in the region. on disadvantaged pupils who are in danger of falling behind. Due to its SOUTH success, the programme is being rolled YORKSHIRE out more widely across the region. TALENT BANK LAUNCHED 06 07 Early Years Early Community Outcomes Research Centre Project Sally Pearse Strategic Lead for Early Years, South Yorkshire Futures

STUDIES HAVE PROVIDED n South Yorkshire, too many children are clear evidence of the long-term falling behind with critical speech, language impact of high-quality early and communication skills, from an early years provision and supportive age. Almost 30 per cent of children do not services for young families. achieveI the expected level of development in However, funding and policy communication, language and literacy in South decisions do not necessarily Yorkshire. That’s over 4,500 children every year, reflect its significance. South We have worked closely who are at risk of not achieving their potential. It was immediately felt that Yorkshire Futures understands with South Yorkshire Speech, language and communication skills through the strong partnership the importance of early years Futures over the past 18 are critical to a child’s development. Being able with South Yorkshire futures, provision and is determined to months to develop an to speak clearly, process sounds, understand our best hope would be a work with partners to provide ‘Early Excellence Hub’. others, think critically and express their ideas joint funding bid. The South a firm foundation for children’s are fundamental building blocks to overall This will be a new early Yorkshire Futures team were later life and learning. development, and educational outcomes later year’s provision to cater pivotal to the success of the bid Our aim is to ensure that in their lives. for families from our and gave each local authority children and families in South The South Yorkshire Early Outcomes Project community. I can honestly support, direction and advice. Yorkshire are supported in brought together experts in early education, to After the bid was successful, the early years by skilled say that the project would develop an evidence-led skills strategy. Over 800 colleagues from South professionals, who have a not have progressed to professionals from across the region contributed owards the end of 2018 there was Yorkshire Futures immediately good understanding of child the stage we’re at without to the evidence base on which the strategy an opportunity to bid for funding the ongoing support made arrangements to drive the development and the crucial role from the Department for Education’s was developed. Through this strategy each of parent partnership and the and wider expertise that local authority has developed an action plan to work forward and have been Schools and Nurseries Capital Fund. South Yorkshire Futures instrumental to all the success home learning environment. To TWe came together with the Watercliffe Meadow support professional development opportunities. has brought. The team the project has had so far.” achieve this end our initial focus School, Sheffield City Council and Save the The project also kick-started the development has been able to draw on with partners has been to develop Children UK to submit a bid and the school were of a strategy to ensure that pathways for Paula Williams expertise and learning from Service Leader for Early Years and a regional vision for quality awarded £345,000 in 2019 to refurbish part of children and families through our local services early years services, to improve several departments within promote a strong focus on speech, language Childcare Quality, Inclusion and a community centre adjacent to the school. Workforce Development, support for communication and Sheffield Hallam and other and communication skills development. All The nursery at the Early Years Community Rotherham Metropolitan Council language in the early years and Research Centre will be part of the Hallam networks across the region. interactions that local authorities and their to explore how the home learning University nursery, working in collaboration They are true research- partners have with young children will, through environment can be supported to with Watercliffe Meadow School. Training, based innovators and it has this strategy, be able to identify, assess and “There have been some great improve outcomes. research and evaluation will also be provided by been a pleasure to work in where appropriate address speech, language advantages to collaborative Since 2017 we have built strong Sheffield Hallam University, and the extensive partnership with them.” and communication needs. working across the region partnerships with our colleagues programme of early years support and systems Ian Read with South Yorkshire Futures. in local authorities and within change expertise will be provided by Save Head Teacher, Watercliffe Meadow The knowledge, skills and the diverse early years sector in the Children UK. Sheffield Hallam University Primary School, Sheffield expertise within the Sheffield our region and created a clear, students will have an opportunity to complete Hallam team has brought with shared vision. This vision has work-based learning at the centre, supporting it a new dynamic to the project underpinned the range of work the University’s civic ambitions and providing and enabled progress to be we have undertaken and has also additional capacity for the centre to deliver its maintained throughout. There brought an additional £2.2million ambitions. Save the Children UK will integrate has been real value added in funding for Early Years support and training for parental engagement to operational meetings and services in South Yorkshire. in learning and building positive home learning workshops, with the University This work will continue and environments to complement the offer of the as an impartial body providing develop in response to the new centre. The Covid-19 pandemic paused the a more holistic perspective, a challenges which we now face project progress in March 2020, just before the clear focus and a strong steer as a sector and a region. construction phase was due to start. However, we to meet our intended aims and are anticipating that the Early Years Community objectives.” Research Centre will open its doors in 2021. Alison Leeming Early Years Inclusion Officer, Doncaster Council 08 09 Get Into Trauma Teaching Informed Schools Sue O’Brien Strategic Lead for Performance and Partnerships for Attainment, South Yorkshire Futures

WE KNOW THAT HIGH QUALITY uilding on the innovative and teachers are key to driving collaborative programme of teaching improvements in attainment in in the Sheffield Institute of Education our schools. Retaining teachers at Sheffield Hallam University, South to the schools that need them BYorkshire Futures is pioneering a strategy to the most enables schools to support a trauma informed school workforce build success. across the region. The aim of the strategy is to Across our region there are I want a change in career, provide every trainee teacher, regardless of route We’ve been privileged to vibrant schools, with high quality this event has had all the or subject, access to trauma informed practice work in partnership with teachers, who build successful, information I need in one training, through collaboration with Trauma South Yorkshire Futures, Informed Schools (TIS) UK. nurturing relationships with their place which has saved me supporting their vision to children and young people, to a lot of time. I like that raise aspiration for children To date this multi-faceted strategy has enable them to thrive. However, all providers are here, it and young people in the been able to: this experience is not consistent feels like a celebration region. From supporting for all - some children and young • Support TIS UK to provide a of teaching rather than a initial teacher education, people in our region are missing comprehensive 10-day diploma to recruitment event.” ensuring that the next out. Where excellence happens teachers and related professionals across generation of teachers in schools, teachers and leaders South Yorkshire enter the classroom able who are supported, developed “I am dead set on teaching. • Work with South Yorkshire Police to remove the barriers to and valued thrive, in meeting I know I want to stay local Violence Reduction Unit to bring together learning that adversity the needs of their pupils. ll initial teacher training providers teachers. With Partnerships for Attainment, we’re but not sure what path to key regional stakeholders to begin the and trauma can present, to This strand of work aims to in South Yorkshire, and their school transforming recruitment activity. We began take. This event has been a conversation about a county wide strategy creating school communities support, develop and celebrate direct partners, are working together by rebranding and redesigning the University’s one-stop-shop for teaching • Team up with TISUK and Nifty Fox that are mentally healthy the teaching profession and to improve the attraction, recruitment traditional teacher training recruitment events, in the region and it means Creative at the start of the Covid-19 cultures for all, we are demonstrate the rewards andA retention of high-quality teachers in our so they can be used as a gathering for all teacher that we only need to attend lockdown to produce resources to support extremely proud to share our of training and teaching in region. This collaborative approach is called training providers in South Yorkshire. one event rather than parents in helping children understand knowledge and evidence- our region. Partnerships for Attainment, with partners Our aims and objectives, based on extensive multiple.” and deal with the sudden unprecedented We aim to ensure that our including; Sheffield Hallam University, research, were clear – work with our partners situation. The resource also included based models.” Get Into Teaching teacher workforce represents University of Sheffield and Teach First. to provide events that: inspire entry into the advice and guidance for schools and Julie Harmieson event attendees the communities they serve With a marketplace full of noise and each teaching profession, give impartial advice, settings to enable them to support staff Co-Director Trauma Informed and meets the needs of those provider running their own recruitment are neutrally branded, stop the decline in working in schools during lockdown Schools UK communities. We are relentless events, there is little space left for raising up bookings and attendance at teaching training • Host a virtual conference to support in our drive to ensure that our the profession and empowering prospective recruitment events. organisations working with vulnerable schools have the teachers they children and young people across need, in the subjects they need South Yorkshire during the Covid-19 and that these teachers get crisis. Experts in education and leaders the support and development from children’s charities and support they need. organisations shared ideas and expertise We want our new teachers to on how the most vulnerable people in know that they are entering a the region can be supported through supportive, valued profession, education practice where their well-being and development matters and that, in South Yorkshire, they will continue to be supported, throughout their career. 10 11 Children’s South Yorkshire University Talent Bank

Carol Castle & Cathy Sinclair Joint Strategic Leads for Pathways and Progression, South Yorkshire Futures

WE ARE PASSIONATE BELIEVERS e believe that every child in that all young people deserve South Yorkshire should be able to achieve their potential, and to become the very best they the power of education and can be. Our vision is to develop skills in transforming lives. aW South Yorkshire Children’s University (CU) Our ambition is to support young based on our successful Sheffield CU model, people to identify and achieve to ensure that every school-age child in South their aspirations, whether that Yorkshire, especially those from disadvantaged I believe it’s so important Our aim is to encourage as be progression to higher level areas, can access high quality extra-curricular that young people from many employers as possible skills, higher education or learning activities that are tracked, rewarded and all backgrounds get the to become School Governor employment. It is about giving celebrated. opportunity to benefit from Champions, because we young people the opportunities Underpinned by extensive local and national this fantastic project. I’m see employers supporting and experiences to be inspired, research, the CU learning adventure, which delighted to confirm this their staff to become school the resources to cope, develop culminates in an inspirational graduation Mayoral Capacity Fund governors as a win-win skills and make informed choices ceremony, gives children and young people the money, to expand the situation. We hope that so they can reach their potential opportunity to enrich their childhoods, nurture Children’s University and Sheffield Hallam University in education, work and most a lifelong love of learning, unlock their skills give children from across signing this charter will importantly in life. and talents and develop their aspirations and South Yorkshire the range encourage others across South Yorkshire Futures confidence regardless of their backgrounds. of opportunities that they South Yorkshire and the provides a unique opportunity to Supported by Sheffield City Region, our so deserve.” higher education sector, turn this ambition into a reality. success to date has focussed on the development to do the same.” It provides a strategic framework of key partnerships across South Yorkshire, Dan Jarvis MBE MP through which we coordinate a including establishing a brand-new CU in Sheffield City Region Mayor Richard Ellam outh Yorkshire Futures is committed skills. To make this possible, we have partnered range of initiatives, working with Rotherham, led by the School Improvement Inspiring Governance to ensuring all young people in our with Inspiring Governance, an online platform Regional Manager partners from across the region – Service. We have also engaged a key partner ”You just don’t realise that region have access to the best careers connecting volunteers to schools and colleges making our work more than the organisation to lead the development of a new you are learning something education to drive their motivation and seeking to fill governor and trustee vacancies. sum of its parts. CU in . at the same time. Most people just take part in Sambition, and clear guidance on the pathways Acting as champions in the region, we encourage We’re proud of the collective Together with existing CU centres in to turn that potential into reality. We’re firm local employers to take part, as well as taking progress on raising aspirations Doncaster and Sheffield, we have now formed the clubs to have a laugh, believers that “you can’t be what you can’t the lead ourselves - Sheffield Hallam is the first we’ve made in South Yorkshire a South Yorkshire CU strategic partnership maybe get some exercise if see” and that is why, in 2019, we launched the University in the UK to sign the School Governor so far, but the challenge is far which aims to share good practice and it’s a sports club. Then you ‘South Yorkshire Talent Bank’ – a platform to Champion charter, pledging to encourage and from over. As we look forwards, develop collaborative projects for the benefit get to go to one of the award bring together our incredibly skilled and varied support staff to be governors in schools and we’ll build on these foundations, of all children, young people and families in ceremonies and that’s regional workforce to inspire and inform young colleges across the region. continuing to identify gaps and our region. Consolidating best practice and another level. That’s when people on their career options and opportunities share best practice and most demonstrating the impact of CU across our you look at yourself and through a range of initiatives. importantly, drive positive region, whilst keeping children and families your friends in a cap and In 2020, we supported the Social Mobility change for young people in at the centre of our work is our focus gown and actually realise Business Partnership, to set-up a work the region. moving forward. what you’ve done, what you’ve achieved.” experience week in South Yorkshire for Year 12 students from low income or low higher Kyle education progression rate backgrounds. Year 11 Firth Park Academy Working with employers across the region, student and Sheffield Children’s University pupil students gained an insight into four different sector organisations, breaking down stereotypes and psychological barriers around ‘fitting in,’ as well as receiving practical tips on applications and recruitment. But we also recognise that schools are at the heart of the challenge to improve attainment in our region. To drive school improvement and maximise student outcomes, schools and colleges need to be able to recruit a diverse board of governors with a wide range of professional 12 13 South Yorkshire Futures Covid-19 Response

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a GROW Children and Virtual significant impact on children and Programme Covid-19 Resources Conference he GROW programme was launched to the national recovery effort. It was great he national lockdown in response n April 2020, we hosted a virtual young people across the world. In the UK, as a pilot scheme in July 2020, to hear from graduate mentors from the to the Covid-19 pandemic conference, to share ideas on how designed to address some of the GROW programme about their invaluable happened so quickly that many organisations can support vulnerable millions of pupils were no longer able to challenges facing year 10 and year 11 work helping pupils as they prepare to families found themselves in children and young people during the Tpupils at this very particular time in their lives. return to school. This experience will help Tincredibly challenging situations. South Covid-19I crisis. The conference was planned attend nurseries, pre-schools, primary and It also offers graduates entering employment graduates build their skills, gain experience Yorkshire Futures immediately utilised our and delivered in under 2 weeks, to meet the secondary schools, or further education the opportunity to develop important skills and bolster their CVs as they prepare to long-established relationship with Trauma urgent need for support and guidance. in mentoring and coaching others, and to be start their careers.” Informed Schools UK, to collaboratively The conference was attended by over colleges due to the nationwide ‘lockdown’. accredited for this work. produce a suite of resources to support 300 participants, with speakers including The scheme matches eight recent families and young people. Trauma Informed Schools and Save the Sheffield Hallam gradutes with 40 year 10 The resources are free and available to Children UK. We covered a broad range pupils, from four schools across the region. anyone via the South Yorkshire Futures of topics and issues, including poverty At South Yorkshire Futures, we Graduate mentors used virtual learning and website. We produced resources to support and bereavement. immediately began to communicate with communication tools to work with the pupils families to communicate with their children Julie Harmieson, Co-Director of Trauma for two hours per week to help them prepare for about Covid-19 and to encourage taking part in Informed Schools UK, said: “It was a great our partners to assess what action we their return to the classroom. learning activities at home. We also produced privilege to be involved, and so heart- The programme is part of a collaborative resources to support schools and education warming to hear such a commitment to could take that would provide additional effort with teams and departments across the settings to ensure the mental health and getting it right, for both children and the University, as well as school partners from wellbeing of the children’s workforce. workforce – well done South Yorkshire.” support to education and care providers, across the region and the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. Due to the programme’s success, and children and young people in our the GROW mentoring scheme is now being region. Below are just some examples of rolled out across the region and the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. resources and projects we worked with our Abigail Wensley, a Sheffield Hallam psychology graduate was a mentor in the partners to develop and share in response pilot. She said: “After an intensive week of training, I have not only left with new skills to the Covid-19 pandemic. and knowledge, but new experiences with children to help me with my future. The GROW programme benefits everyone involved – I inspired them, while they inspired me. A two-way door, I was not expecting.” In July 2020, Universities Minister, Michelle Donelan, participated in an interactive Zoom session with the graduate mentors and students from Firth Park Academy in Sheffield and Wales High School in Rotherham. “I know this is a difficult time for young people, but I am pleased universities like Sheffield Hallam are stepping up, supporting their communities, and contributing 14 15 2021 Vision and Key Deliverables

As a university, we want to ensure that civic We will: Early Years Community South Yorkshire South Yorkshire • Strengthen our leadership role Research Centre Children’s University Talent Bank engagement is hardwired into the fabric in the region by developing he Early Years Community he continued expansion of the he further development of the of our institutional culture and outlook. successful relationships Research Centre will bring together South Yorkshire Children’s Talent Bank will build essential with partners to enhance the multiple and diverse stakeholders; University will help all young links between the world of work We are proudly a university of place, and attractiveness of the University including the community, children people to access out of school and young people. Through these Tand families, service providers, and local Tactivities. We recognise that access to Tlinks, we will continue to support young people and region for teaching, research our vision is to help make this ambition a business leaders to work with a range of extra-curricular activities is key to helping to access the opportunities that are available and innovation reality – embedding civic aspirations at an academic researchers to co-produce new young people develop their social capital. in th city region and to help them navigate • Work imaginatively with others interventions and services that will improve For young people to achieve their potential, the path to achieving their desired career by institutional level, as well as working with who share our commitment to health and education outcomes in this key we believe that they must have access to helping them to identify the steps they have enriching the social, economic sensitive period of child development. The opportunities beyond the classroom. The to take, including gaining qualifications and government and strategic partners to ensure EYCRC will act as a ‘living laboratory’ to Children’s University is key to enabling all appropriate work experience. and cultural life of the city and explore what works in terms of interventions young people to reach their potential. that the university’s role and responsibility the wider region to support early childhood development, is used more effectively as an agent to drive • Actively explore and create learning and health. Social Mobility improvement in life chances for young opportunities for wider strategic Business impact in the region, recognising Partnership people across the region. This is particularly our role as a purchaser, partner orking in partnership with important given the economic and social and wider contributor of skills, the Social Mobility Business knowledge and profile Partnership will enable challenges presented by Covid -19. young people to gain work Wexperience in professional areas that they might not have previously seen there being opportunities for them. By giving young In 2020/2021, through the South Yorkshire people access to these opportunities, we hope that they will consider a wider range Futures programme we will continue to of career options than they might not have pursue the vision that all young people in previously thought of. South Yorkshire will achieve their potential. Trauma We will drive long term improvements in Informed the educational health of the region by Practice working with partners to improve attainment e will continue to work with a wide range of partners and aspiration from early years through to across different sectors to embed trauma-informed further and higher education. Wpractice across the region. We believe that this approach will transform the life chances of many young people. When practitioners use this approach, the transformation in outcomes for those young people can be huge. We will work to ensure that people working with young people are equipped with the required skills. 016

A special thank you to our partners: Doncaster Council Sheffield City Council Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council Northern Powerhouse Partnership Children’s University TISUK Watercliffe Meadow Education and Employers Save the Children Mayor Dan Jarvis MBE MP Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Sheffield City Region Mayoral Social Mobility Business Partnership

@SYorksFutures [email protected] southyorkshirefutures.co.uk