Afsana Lachaux’s Post

❗️A post from our Director Afsana Lachaux Fewer pupils of primary-school age meet WHO minimum in countries where uniforms are the norm, Cambridge study finds. The research suggests that restrictive uniforms could be preventing primary school pupils, especially girls, from being physically active. It's 2024, and I can't believe that we're still debating skirts vs trousers 🙄 This latest research confirms what The Sweaty Betty Foundation has known all along. We know that clothing is a major barrier to girls being physically active. With our partner Sweaty Betty we are breaking down these barriers with the mission of empowering more women and girls to get fit and active. Over the last 2 years, we've donated nearly 10,000 bras 🙌 and our redesigned sports hijab will be launched on #iwd2024 📣 As well as listening to girls from all over the UK, the girls panel is helping us to shape our work with schools through our P.A.C.K framework aimed at tackling the 4 key barriers identified as major obstacles to girls getting active. P 🅿🆄🅱🅴🆁🆃🆈 A 🅰🆃🆃🅸🆃🆄🅳🅴🆂 C 🅲🅷🅰🅽🅶🅸🅽🅶 🆁🅾🅾🅼🆂 K 🅺🅸🆃. We will be launching our P.A.C.K projects and partnership initiatives over the coming months, so watch this space! https://lnkd.in/e4xB85eE #genderequality #gendergap #schooluniform #sports #girlsactive #PErevolution #physicalactivity #girlshealth #empoweringwomenandgirls

School Chale Kya? 🏫 🚸 Yes, you read it right. Today, we’re talking about uniforms. So, why not begin from where this word started, i.e., schools? In school, we were introduced to the concept of uniforms. We were told this is the specific way we have to come to school every day. There was a set of rules: defined colors, patterns, and fabrics. 👩🏫🎒 As a curious child (childhood and curiosity—I’m not sure if I still have it), I had these questions: Why do we have to wear uniforms? 🤔 The most common answer I got was "discipline." Discipline? Really? 🤷🏻♀️ Do you agree? I didn’t, and I still don’t. But👇🏻 Over time, I encountered different answers, opinions, and perspectives (I am a person who can’t form opinions easily). I learned that it’s not specifically about uniforms, but rather about clothing. The reasons can range from safety, equality, protection, expression (my personal favorite), discipline (maybe), culture, traditions, social aspects, comfort, and perhaps more. Now, what’s next? 🤷🏻♀️ So, I started reading about school uniforms, and let me tell you, this is one of the scariest topics I have chosen. Oh god, there is no end to it! I mean, I got overwhelmed and confused, "kahan shuru karun, kaise khatam?" 🙆♀️ So, bachpan se 2-3 baatein jo mujhe pata thi about school uniforms vo thi: uniforms bring a sense of unity, equality, and togetherness. Here are a few interesting facts I have learned so far while exploring 📝 (I am collecting information from usual sources; for anything incorrect, feel free to forgive and correct me): - I discovered that the first recorded school uniform was in 1552 at Christ’s Hospital school in London, a charity school for orphans. Some sources suggest uniforms appeared as early as 1222 with a robe-like outfit called a cappa clausa, but these were not officially recorded. - Some studies suggest uniforms help with discipline and grades. While evidence is not strong, a few case studies show support from some teachers and parents. - Inspired by London, early uniforms included shirts, blazers, and robes, which hindered physical activity. This led to different uniforms for various activities. Today, some students maintain school pride with traditional uniforms, while others wear modern options like t-shirts, polo shirts, and plain-colored pants. - Uniforms help schools with identity and status recognition, and they can help students avoid issues like bullying, fights, and peer pressure. For example, in the USA, more than 150,000 children miss school to avoid peer pressure over clothes. Uniforms can be a safety net for these students. So, the parameters I feel I can draw behind the concept of uniforms are safety, recognition, equality, culture, and aesthetics. I really couldn’t end it; there is always more. I hope I’ll be able to figure it out nicely next time. Stay tuned. Happy Reading 🌻 #TechInFashionTuesdays #PriyaWrites

Just re-visiting the Active Lives (Children and young people) Survey and the following sticks out like a sore thumb: Activity levels change as children get older. They are highest for those in Years 1-2, ages 5-6 (51%) and lowest for those in Years 3-4, ages 7-9 (40%). This deserves deep reflection and investigation as to why this is happening and what more can be done to address this challenge. No doubt a complex issue related to a range of factors but a few questions that came to my mind: 1. We know that up to the age of 7 is critical in shaping children’s self efficacy and relationship with physical activity. It will be a huge determinant in their physical literacy journey. With this in mind, are we investing enough (this doesn’t just mean financially) and are we providing the right experiences for children in EYFS and KS1 to help them develop the positive relationship with physical activity they need and deserve? 2. The role of parents/carers is critical, and a collaborative school/home/community effort is required to help change culture around physical activity in our children. Do we need to do more, therefore, to educate, engage and support parents/carers of children, particularly in EYFS/KS1? We do this much better with literacy and numeracy so let’s close this gap!

Help us send our homeless keiki back to school prepared! https://lnkd.in/gaG437B5 For a homeless child, having new school supplies, backpacks, and shoes is vitally important for several reasons: 1. Boosting Self-Esteem and Confidence New school supplies, backpacks, and shoes help homeless children feel like they belong. When they have the same items as their peers, it minimizes the stigma and embarrassment associated with their circumstances. This boost in self-esteem can encourage them to participate more actively in school activities. 2. Enhancing Academic Performance Having the right tools is essential for academic success. New school supplies ensure that children have what they need to complete their assignments, take notes, and stay organized. This can directly impact their ability to learn and perform well in school. 3. Providing a Sense of Normalcy and Stability For homeless children, life can be chaotic and unpredictable. Having new, clean, and functional school supplies and shoes provides a sense of normalcy and stability. This can be incredibly comforting and can help them focus better on their studies. 4. Encouraging Regular School Attendance When children have what they need for school, they are more likely to attend regularly. Proper shoes, in particular, are essential for walking to and from school, participating in physical education, and playing during recess. Without these items, children may be more likely to skip school. 5. Supporting Physical Health and Comfort Properly fitting shoes and backpacks that distribute weight evenly are important for a child’s physical health. Ill-fitting shoes can cause foot problems, and heavy, improperly supported backpacks can lead to back and shoulder issues. Ensuring that children have appropriate gear helps them stay comfortable and healthy. 6. Reducing Anxiety and Stress Homeless children often face a great deal of stress and anxiety related to their living situations. Having new and reliable school supplies can alleviate some of this stress, allowing them to focus better on their studies and social interactions at school. 7. Fostering Inclusivity and Reducing Bullying When children have the same supplies as their peers, it fosters a more inclusive environment and reduces the risk of being singled out or bullied for having less or older supplies. This inclusivity is crucial for their social development and emotional well-being. 8. Encouraging Positive Attitudes Towards Education When children feel prepared and equipped for school, they are more likely to develop a positive attitude towards education. This positivity can lead to better engagement in learning and a higher likelihood of academic success. In summary, providing new school supplies, backpacks, and shoes to homeless children addresses both their practical needs and their emotional and psychological well-being. This support can make a significant difference in their educational experience and overall quality of life.

This week’s The Guardian coverage highlights that children in private schools have 10 times as much green space as those in state schools. Hundreds of state school playing fields have been developed or sold over the last 10 years alone further reducing access to outdoor space on the school estate and squeezing sport and play provision into ever more limited facilities. Not to mention the limitations on time to play. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eBSaegvp And, as our own research shows, children’s access to outdoor space in the community is worse in less affluent areas. A third of children in Britain don’t have any playgrounds within 10 minutes of where they live. Both at home and at school children’s access to green space has been eroded with severe short and long-term impacts on their health and wellbeing. Time to prioritise our children’s wellbeing and make sure that access to space is a right not a privilege. Read the full #GSI2024 research here: https://lnkd.in/ePAuDpt9

Gender-specific barriers are stopping girls from getting active. A survey from the Youth Sport Trust reveals the gap between boys and girls in England who enjoy PE lessons is widening, with periods and low confidence cited as top reasons for girls not wanting to participate. Of note, only 59% of secondary school-aged girls said they liked PE (or liked it a lot), compared to 74% in 2016. In contrast, 84% of boys claimed to enjoy PE, unchanged over the same period.

EDUCATION CRISIS IN UGANDA; WE DEMAND ANSWERS ON THE RISING COST OF SCHOOL FEES. Officially, schools reopened today. We want to challenge the government with several questions; Why are there discrepancies in examination fees by the Uganda National Examinations Board? Why can’t Ministry of Education improve on the quality of education in public schools so that there is value for money in order to minimize school drop outs, which invariably has a bearing on crime rates in our country? Why can’t government, school administrators, and other stakeholders collaborate with parents during these challenging financial times to ensure the education of Uganda's children is prioritized? Why can’t Students’ safety be prioritized by conducting safety protection training both for students and teachers in order to handle emergencies such as fire outbreaks which happens more often after children go back to school? Why can't there be emphasis on the importance of making safety equipment tax-free in light of the country's financial crisis, noting that schools are also struggling financially? Why have the prices of educational services skyrocketed making them unaffordable for many and accessible only to the privileged? How has the effectiveness of various government initiatives such as Poverty Alleviation, Operation Wealth Creation, NAADS, Emyooga, the Women Fund, the Youth Livelihood Fund, the Parish Development Model, the Disability Fund, and the Elderly Fund impacted our parents positively over the years? Where is the relevance of these initiatives when so few parents can afford to educate their children? Could it be that these programs were designed to benefit a specific group of people at the expense of the broader population? Why can’t government consider expediting the process of regulating fees structures across the spectrum seeing that parents can’t afford education due to high taxes that have increased the cost of living? Why are their many parents abandoning Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools in favor of unaffordable private schools? Could it be to a potential conflict of interest, noting that many government technocrats in the Ministry of Education own private schools, which could incentivize them to undermine UPE schools to boost their private school businesses? Why can’t government prioritize the affordability of the new curriculum and put emphasis on education since it is the only path for the underprivileged to attain equality. Is it not clear enough that denying the poor access to quality education tantamount to making them slaves in their own country? NEED Party stands against these inequalities within the education system. An uneducated population becomes a burden to the government. Therefore, we call for immediate action towards the rising education costs and ensure that all Ugandans regardless of their financial status, have access to quality education. #MoneyInYourPocket

Good education is about more than marks on a piece of paper. It's about the development of character, identity, and personal wellbeing both inside and outside the classroom! 🎉 It's A-Level Results day in England, Wales and Northern Ireland! 🎉 We are wishing all of our remarkable Oasis Community Learning A-level students the very best as they receive their results. However, there are many students throughout the UK who will never sit their A-levels because of poor mental health, undiagnosed special educational needs, difficult family backgrounds or a host of other disadvantages. Running 54 schools in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the UK has taught us that: - good education is holistic and integrated in nature - good education cares for the whole life of a child so that they can thrive in all areas of life. - good education considers and supports a child's family background, socio-economic status, neurodiversity, physical and mental health needs and many other areas. - good education goes far beyond the classroom That's why in September we will be launching Oasis St Martin's Village as part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer The Labour Party's manifesto pledge to create a network of youth hubs across the country to provide holistic care for young people who are struggling most in school. Oasis St Martin's Village will provide therapy and mentoring, as well as sport, music tuition (featuring award-winning instructors such as Seth Pinnock), agriculture, dance and art, alongside support in numeracy and literacy, all rooted in the philosophy — “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, we must start teaching the way they learn." All of this will work in partnership with local grassroots groups and statutory services to make sure Oasis St Martin's Village attends to the needs of local children and their families. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eYSVMa2M

YMCA’s latest ‘On the Ropes’ report found that funding for youth services have been cut significantly across England and Wales since 2010. ⚠️ Across Nottinghamshire, there has been a 63% decrease in real-terms youth funding, rising to an 88% decrease in Nottingham. But what does that mean for young people in Nottinghamshire? Youth services are asset-building, which means they actively help young people to build the skills and qualities that help them with future independence, employment, and happiness. Building assets increases a young person’s chances of social mobility, which benefits young people in really important ways: 🔻More likely to achieve at least 5 GCSEs 🔻Better chances of attending university 🔻More likely to earn above the National Living Wage in adulthood 🔻Less likely to become homeless, or live in unsecure housing We're doing what we can to provide exceptional services for children and young people in Nottinghamshire, with Scholarships for those who otherwise couldn't afford to take part. Learn more about supporting the national campaign for Youth Services, and how you can contribute locally at https://bit.ly/3T8C0g9