Excellence News

A I M I N G F O R E X C E L L E N C E Visit our new website: www.medway­excellence­cluster.co.uk M E D W A Y E X C E L L E N C E V O L U M E 3 A P R I L 2 0 0 6 C L U S T E R Message from Kath Chesterman, MECP and BIP Manager

S P E C I A L Since the last newsletter inform next year’s inter­ ter schools will be P O I N T S O F there have been some ventions and help with trained as facilitators to changes to Aimhigher. their enhancement. We run parent support I N T E R E S T : Aimhigher funding ceases will be running several groups. We foresee that at the end of July and new courses over the next few this will complement es­ • MECP offers pro­ funding now encompasses months: the five day Na­ tablished parent support fessional devel­ all of Medway. This will tional Mentor Training, initiatives such as SHARE opment courses have some impact on our Circle of Friends Course and Life long Learning. • Two new addi­ three secondary schools, and an Emotional Literacy tions to the though we are pleased that Story Writing Course. This newsletter marks Learning Mentor we will still have some Aim­ These courses should en­ the end of the first year Team higher support within the able the development of of the Excellence Cluster. Cluster. We have also em­ interventions that will We all need to ensure ployed some additional support the emotional now that the good start Learning Mentors to roll out needs of the children and we have made carries on some specialist support and young people in the Clus­ and develops over the programmes (see the link ter schools. next two years. I N S I D E T H I S in the Mentor article). Hamsters Both Kevin, the Senior I S S U E : Finger biters, The results of the Behav­ Learning Mentor, and I human smellers The Mentors 2 iour Improvement Pro­ have been linking with a Wheel spinners gramme (BIP) have im­ variety of voluntary agen­ Shy creatures, pressed our external mod­ cies. We worked with The Good hiders, Aimhigher 2 erators, as attendance fig­ Parent Partnership Group Fast runners. ures have improved overall to run a pilot programme More Able and and the number of fixed for parents last autumn. 3 Danielle, Year 3, Talented term exclusions have gone From that group, a train­ Saxon Way Primary down. ing programme for facili­ School More Able and 4 tators developed. The first Talented This next term is going to course will be taking place Example of poetry pro­ see us evaluate all of the towards the end of May duced at the Infant Poetry The Counsellors 5 programmes in order to and some staff from Clus­ Workshop (more on p4)

Language Enrich­ 6 ment The Mentors The Learning Mentor work and the impact that many activities included FSES 6 team have been consoli­ they are making in their arts and crafts (making dating their roles within schools. Easter themed caps), Excellence Cluster sports, drama, trampolining SEAL 7 schools. During the re­ We offered a successful and story­telling. cent meetings that were programme of Easter Professional De­ 8 held in the schools to Holiday Schools, giving We would like to say velopment review the year’s pro­ 100 children the opportu­ “Thank you” to Brompton Courses gramme, the mentors nity to participate in en­ Westbrook, and Woodlands received lots of positive joyable ,but enriching, Primary Schools for providing feedback about their activities. Some of the their facilities during the two P A G E 2 The Mentors Cont. “The whole thing is week programme. We train some of their Year 8 those young people who designed to boost also want to express our pupils to become peer might be excluded for a their self esteem and gratitude to Robert mentors. These peer fixed term. Most impor­ encourage them to try Napier School for the mentors will then work tantly, Jan will be offering things they might not loan of their minibus with some of the Year 6 an extra pair of hands to have done before. over the same period. children within the Clus­ those mentors who need Also, it gives them an ter to support them in an additional worker to opportunity to meet We will be running fur­ their transition from pri­ support group work etc. children from other ther events during the mary to secondary schools and build new May Holiday week and school. Nicola will also be friendships and during the summer holi­ working closely with Jo develop social skills”. days. Price at New Brompton College on a smaller Quote from Jocey We have developed transition programme Mills, Learning Mentor some plans to expand during the May holiday at Woodlands Primary the support that the that involves a music School about the Learning Mentor team workshop at the Sunlight mentor holiday can provide to Cluster Centre. In addition Ni­ programmes schools. Firstly, we are cola will be working one pleased to announce the day a week at Featherby appointment of Nicola Infant School as their Pictures from the Learning King as our Peer and learning mentor. Mentor Easter Holiday Voluntary Mentoring Co­ Schools ordinator. Nicola’s work Secondly, we have ap­ will commence immedi­ pointed Jan Tedham, who Mentors have sup­ ately after Easter and is the current Behaviour/ ported 218 individual focus upon the develop­ Learning Mentor at Arden children to date ment of a transition pro­ and Richmond Schools, gramme. She will work to a new position as Out­ closely with The Robert reach Learning Mentor. Napier School and New Her role will concentrate Brompton College and on supporting pupils in Medway Mediation to managed transfers, or

The Aimhigher Learning Mentors, work­ • Cragrats, a theatre company ing in our three secondary schools and specialising in school projects, Mid­Kent College, have encouraged tar­ delivered an excellent set of get students to attend a range of activi­ sketches to Year 10 students ties this Spring, aimed at raising their from New Brompton College and aspirations. Here is a small selection: The Robert Napier School on aspects of higher education, fol­ • a Science Day run by the Univer­ lowed by workshops. sity of Greenwich at which stu­ dents had a choice of workshops; • What’s Your ‘Flava’ , a careers Chemistry, Science, Pharmacy event at the County Show­ and Sports Science. They en­ ground, was attended by groups joyed activities such as making of students from our secondary hand cream and measuring the schools and Mid­Kent College. speed of a tennis serve.

E X C E L L E N C E N E W S V O L U M E 3 P A G E 3 More Able and Talented

During the Spring we have run some exciting workshops for able and talented pupils from our Cluster schools. Some of these are highlighted below.

Quote from a student: Football coaching: “I have enjoyed every part of the day and have Gillingham Football Club coaches provided two day­ learnt how to control the long workshops for senior and junior footballers. ball better with head, The sessions concentrated on particular skills and knee and foot.” gave the boys and girls an opportunity to play with other talented pupils from across the Excellence Cluster.

The trainers were impressed with the standard of play from the students.

“The students all seemed to work together well, both boys and girls. They showed really good attitudes and were always ready to listen to us when we were teaching them new skills.”

Recognising Achievement:

Steve Lovell presenting a certificate to a stu­ dent who attended the football workshop.

Music Workshop for Infant Children:

We were very lucky to en­ Able and Talented Coordinators’ Con­ gage Carolynn Woodman, ference, March 2006: Choral Director at Rochester Grammar School, who is also The Spring Conference for Able and Tal­ a trained infant teacher, to ented Coordinators provided a varied run three after­school work­ programme for the delegates. In the shops for musically­talented morning Kath Waters provided training infants. The children learned on the use of pupil and school level data. about their different voices She also provided feedback on the Clus­ and how to use warm up ex­ ter schools’ audit of able and talented ercises, as well as learning a provision based on the new National set of action songs which Quality Standards Framework. There they performed to their par­ was a workshop on evidence for the Na­ ents and friends. tional Quality Standards Framework and a sharing of good practice session. Children from several Excellence Cluster The afternoon session on Developing Schools enjoying the Infant Music Workshop Creative Thinking Skills was delivered by Rob Doyle from Canterbury Christ Church University. P A G E 4 Able and Talented Cont. Poetry Workshops:

It is not every day that pupils have a chance to work with a real, live poet, but this is what some pupils have had the chance to do this Spring. Ros Barber is one of a small number of people in the country to work as a poet for a living. She has written poems, such as ‘The Crocodile Under the Bed’, ‘Yeti’ and ‘New Boy’ that appear in well­used po­ etry anthologies.

Ros delivered three workshops, developing the creative writing skills of the children and teaching them new ideas to develop poetry­writing styles of their own. Some examples of the children’s work: The Kangatah

Ros Barber The kangatah is bright orange with shiny black working with children at the spots, Infant Poetry With a kangaroo’s body and ears Workshop With a tiger’s head, feet and tail. It eats meat and leaves. It prowls around in the day and bounces high, It gets some cloud and practices some killing, Then it uses it as a trampoline. Dripping Snow It dreams about bouncing high And swiping planes with its slashing claws. The snow is dripping, Just coming from the sky, Molly, Year 2, Featherby Infant School Landing on the ground si- lently, So Small. Hate to Love You

At first it is tiny, You think you know me but you really don’t. Then it covers the ground, So now you can make You say you like me but I know you don’t. Snowmen, snowballs, any- You smile at me whilst you pretend to care, thing you like. I hate your smile, I hate your clothes, your Snow is like sugar on a cake, hair. White and fluffy, I hate the way you whisper in my ear, Going everywhere, I hate the way you wipe away my tears. But making no noise. I hate the way you try to hold my hand, But then the sun comes out, I hate the way you always understand. Melting the snow, You tell me that you like me but you lie. So now the ground is empty You make me sad, you make me hurt and cry. Until the next year. I hate the way that hating you’s not true, Abigail, Year 4, Bromp­ I hate the way that I’m in love with you. ton Westbrook Primary School Jayde, Year 9, Chatham Grammar School for Girls

E X C E L L E N C E N E W S V O L U M E 3 P A G E 5 More Able and Talented cont.

MY MuM Death is Approaching

Dinner cooker, Here is a list of things I need, T.V lover, When the world begins to bleed: Food shopper, Computer tapper, Shannon, Callie, Taylor – my nieces and Phone chatter. nephew And oh! I won’t forget my PS2. Josh, Year 2, Saxon Way Primary My Gino Milano watch, my sense of self, School My Lucy Pinder posters . My charmed collection on DVD; I won’t for­ get my widescreen TV. I’ll take a dozen battery packs, fully charged; I’ll stock up on pizzas, they’ll be extra large. My MP3, my Hugo Boss collection, My bathroom products – I have a selection.

These are the things I’ll need when the world ends, But most importantly I’ll take family and friends.

Marc, Year 10, The Robert Napier Secondary children putting pen to paper at the poetry workshop School The Counsellors The following case study is an example of the impact that counselling has made to a young child within a Cluster school

Before counselling:

T was referred by the school SenCo as it was felt that he found it hard to form relationships with his peers and with the adults within school. He often refused to do any work and spent time under tables and was disruptive and often rude..... T’s attendance has been very good and he has always ap­ peared keen to come to his session. Initially his eye contact was almost non­existent and he either walked in front or behind me as we walked to the room. I felt that T had a low sense of self­worth and through play and art work I believe he has found a sense of pride in himself and the ability to express himself in a positive way.

After Counselling:

T’s eye contact is extremely good now and his self­esteem seems to be growing. He has talked through issues that have troubled him and looked at his behaviour from others’ perceptions as well as his own. When talking with his class teacher his eye contact is good, his behaviour has improved greatly, he is taking part in group work, he no longer crawls under tables, he is polite to adults and keen to help them and seems to have positive relationships with his peers.

His mother felt that his behaviour had improved all round.... is well behaved and happier in himself. She was also extremely pleased with the progress he seems to be making at school. P A G E 6 Language Enrichment

Article by Kate Worrall — Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

I began working as a speech concentration, phonologi­ and language assistant within cal awareness). If a child the Excellence Cluster in No­ struggles in any of these vember. areas it can have a detri­ I enjoy the challenge my new mental effect on their abil­ job presents, working with ity to communicate at all four different schools every levels. Without communi­ term. It has been quite a task cation they will not only to learn everyone’s name and struggle to access the cur­ “One of the to familiarise myself with the riculum but will have diffi­ things I learnt is schools. I have become more culties in all aspects of that Speech and flexible and organised, adopt­ their lives. Language is not ing an ‘on the go’ attitude. I have been excited by the just about amount there is to learn Top: Materials used ‘clarity of I started running the Lan­ about this fascinating sub­ in activities as part speech’ ­ it is so guage Enrichment Groups at ject. Also when theory re­ of the ‘Celebrations’ much more” the beginning of Spring Term lates to the individual chil­ Themed programme. 1 and with my colleagues dren the words come to ‘I learnt is that Bottom: Kate Wor­ guidance (and excellent ad­ life and the children’s im­ Speech and rall with Pip the pup­ vice), I have been growing in provement makes all my Language is pet. confidence with each week hard work worthwhile. not just about that passes. I am now taking ‘clarity of increasing pleasure in running I have been overwhelmed ‘speech’ – it is the groups – especially seeing by the support I have re­ so much more’ the children benefit and enjoy ceived from everyone – so the activities so much. thank you for your words of encouragement and One of the first things I learnt knowledgeable advice. is that Speech and Language is not just about ‘clarity of speech’ – it is so much more (expressive language, under­ standing, attention, listening, Emotional Literacy Projects Emotional Literacy Projects have been Whilst the impact of this setting will running for six months at both The not be formally evaluated until the end Robert Napier School and New Brompton of the term, there have been com­ College. A day conference was held in­ ments from staff returning to the volving both secondary schools and two school after time away. junior schools. Following this day, an EL interest and a strategy group have been One teacher said that she had noticed formed and a website is in production. a big change in the pupils as they ap­ There will be a link to this website from peared more caring and calmer. the Excellence Cluster Website once it is up and running. There are important links being made with the School of Emotional Literacy At New Brompton, College, Nic Petri has and the Social and Emotional Aspects continued to develop the pastoral system of Learning Programme. within the school. Nic has devised a ‘One teacher said that she had noticed SEAL displays at cross­year group curriculum similar to the family groupings that have been suc­ a big change in the pupils as they ap­ Glencoe Junior peared more caring and calmer’ School (more on cessfully implemented in primary the next page) schools.

E X C E L L E N C E N E W S V O L U M E 3 P A G E 7

Social­Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL)

The SEAL programme is a PSHE programme developed by the DfES which comprises a set of resources with seven themes. Each theme is introduced by a whole school assembly. The themes are New Beginnings, Getting on and Falling Out, Say No to Bullying, Going for Goals!, Good to be me, Rela­ tionships, and Changes. All themes are differentiated into the following sets: Foundation, Years 1 and 2, Years 3 and 4, Years 5 and 6. In addition, there are further materials supplied not only for class based activities, but small group and individual work as well. The pilot schools are planning to host an ‘Open Day’ session where they will set up displays of work that the children have produced to demonstrate the various themes. Staff members will be available on the day to talk to the other schools about the project. In our initial discussions with the pilot schools it was clear that they have benefited from the SEAL materials. The date for the Open Day is to be ar­ ranged sometime towards the end of the school year.

We have five Cluster schools piloting the SEAL materials. They are:

• Glencoe Junior School • Greenvale Infant School • Skinner Street Primary School • Woodlands Primary School • Brompton Westbrook Primary School

Family Health Professionals Parenting Sports and Arts Study Support ICT Full Service Extended School (FSES)

Message from Ruth Simpson, New Brompton College.

In my new role as FSES Guidance Advisor, I am responsible for the welfare, guidance and support that is provided for students within the school day. This includes Special Educational Needs, Admissions, Looked after Children, Child Protection and outreach.

We are developing a team of health professionals, Counsellors, teaching assistants, Family Liaison Officers, mentors, both adults and students. We plan to work with the Pastoral and Behaviour Management team within the school.

I see my key role as widening participation and empowering young people and their families to take more of an active part in their community, whatever their barriers, whether real or imagined.

Like a certain motoring organization we may not do it all but we know someone who can!

We see ourselves as a signpost to support children and families access the appropriate services.

Our team will hopefully grow during the coming years as we network and mingle to meet the powerful aims of “Every Child Matters”. I am looking forward to embracing the challenges of the next few years. FSES Cont..

Message from Jo Price, Community Manager at New Brompton College

Taking forward the community agenda for Full Service Extended Schools (FSES) is an exciting and chal­ lenging remit and not for the faint hearted! Therefore, with much enthusiasm, energy and dynamism I’m pleased to take New Brompton College (NBC) forward and make real impact and change in delivering the extended services agenda.

Schools are no longer buildings that open between 8.45am – 3pm, schools are expected to be more acces­ sible by offering greater flexibility around opening times and usage of facilities. Additionally schools are ex­ pected to deliver a menu of opportunities and these might include:

• Home work clubs • Accessing Sports and Arts facilities/opportunities • Childcare provision beyond the school day • Family learning provision to encourage life long learning • Business and enterprise activities

The above is just a flavour of what Extended Services can include and we can already say quite confidently that NBC is at the forefront of delivering a robust community programme. We boost a wonderful variety of after­school clubs, excellent use of sports and arts facilities through our lettings, family learning pro­ grammes and specialism (Performing Arts) and our very own out of hours ‘NBC Extra Time’ a fun safe place for pupils to attend between the hours of 3pm – 6pm and students get fed and watered!

If any schools would like to know more about we can offer then please don’t hesitate to contact me on 01634 852341 ext 536. Professional Development Courses

We are pleased to be able to offer training courses for Teachers, Designated teachers LAC, SENCO’s, TA’s Circle of Friends course Therapeutic Story writing Course

Circle of Friends, (sometimes known as "circle of Over the 3 days, through an experiential teaching support"), originated in Canada, is a method for method, you will explore the use of sub­ building relationships around a pupil who is vul­ personalities through the use of metaphor. We will nerable to social exclusion because of disruptive find ways in which story metaphor can be used to behaviour, a behavioural difficulty, or peer rela­ explore and process difficult feelings in emotionally tionship difficulties. anxious children. This course will cover when to use the approach; it links with emotional literacy and can be used as an anti­bullying intervention.

Course Date: 15th June 2006 Course Date: 3 days starting in September

Cost: £25 per delegate Cost: £150 per delegate (includes lunch)

Places: 14 Places: 14

Venue: The Youth House Venue: The Youth House

To enrol on a course or find out more information please ring 01634 338773/338775 or email [email protected]

Contact us: Medway Excellence Cluster, The Youth House, Marlborough Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 5HR Phone: 01634 338773 Fax: 01634 338750 Email: [email protected] Website: www.medway­excellence­cluster.co.uk Aiming for Excellence Medway Excellence Cluster