Interesting findings from CST’s recent report ‘Is yours a listening school?’ show that many trusts are not fully leveraging the skills and knowledge of their local tier for community engagement and partnering. The report suggests that trusts should do more to leverage the untapped potential of local civic actors, with governors being just one stakeholder. Forum Strategy similarly makes the case of effective community engagement, giving local voices greater influence in shaping and delivering the trust’s vision and strategy.
Schools and trusts are in the habit of running annual surveys of parents, staff and pupils, but do much less to engage a range of civic actors in the local community. This needs to change. Trusts needs to get closer to their communities through more meaningful engagement, carefully designed to elicit views, build relationships and capitalise on civic goodwill in resource-constrained times. More akin to strategic partnership building for long term community building. The rewards can be immense. Innovation in service delivery, enriched curriculum opportunities and appreciative families who see the trust’s efforts to make a positive impact on their lives. #CommunityEngagement #Education #Trusts #CivicPartnerships
Chief Executive Officer, Board Member
4moThanks for sharing.