Education for Change’s Post

JANUARY NEWS : OCKLYNGE VALUES - 'RESPONSIBILITY'! With a new year upon us, with a 'fresh start' in mind, our #TeamOcklynge have taken the time to come together this week during their assemblies and think about one of our #Values - #Responsibility and linking this action to behaviour in and around school. With this in mind and to further embed this important value, our learners talked about what this 'looks and feels like' in the school environment and how they can continue to showcase this value each day both inside and outside of the classroom. They have thought about and recognised:- - Their behaviour steps : Stop, Think, Choice, Support and, if relevant, Reflection Time. - They talked about a new year and term being a 'fresh start', with behaviour points being set back to '0' ready to have a positive and fresh term. - They concluded their assemblies by celebrating their classes collective achievements, including behaviour, attendance and academic achievements. Great work #TeamOcklynge, you have all shown #Responsibility this week, keep up the brilliant work this term and beyond. Do you know our #4R's? Ask you child(ren) to talk about these at home, perhaps around the dinner table, encouraging them to speak about what they have discussed in school this week. #SouthDownsLearningTrust #SDLT #AchievingSuccessTogether #TeamOcklynge #VALUES #The4Rs #Responsibility #PROUD #AchieveBelieve&Succeed

Having worked for Stages Learning for nearly 3 years, I’ve seen first hand the impact our learning materials have on the developmental success of students everywhere. Through this new initiative, The Stages Learning Foundation, we will do so much more! Please read Angela’s post below to learn more about the work of the foundation to shape brighter futures!

Last week was quieter than usual as many people took time off over half-term. I spent it re-designing our corporate 'school engagement programme', and it's now better than ever. If your business is looking to achieve some real, evidence-based (and VERY fun!) local impact with young people in your community - then please look no further. Our Future Skills Programme brings businesses and students together in local schools for ten weeks of fun, engaging and highly valuable skills coaching and mentoring. Our impact over the last year has exceeded everything we could have imagined. Students have described it as 'life changing', and all of our schools and corporate partners have seen so much value in it that they're all running our programmes for a second (and third!) year in a row. Over the course of ten weeks, our programme helps vulnerable young people aged 14 to 15 to develop mindsets and skillsets to leave school with the opportunity of finding meaningful employment. It enables them to seek out careers aligned with their passions and purpose and in some case, they're able to launch their own small businesses before they even begin their GCSE's. We are in the midst of an education crisis. Thousands of students are leaving school each year without qualifications or the necessary skills to live a life on their own terms. The situation is even more dire for those young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Businesses have the power to change all of this, and our programme is a very simple step in the right direction. We work with all young people in the UK, but we have a particular focus on working in areas of multiple deprivation and with students most at risk of becoming NEET (not in employment, education or training), SEND pupils and those becoming increasingly disengaged with academia for a host of other reasons. This is a great chance for businesses to give something back to their communities, to reach a diverse pool of very talented young people, and to play an active role in the development of the next generation of thinkers, do-ers, innovators and change-makers. Get in touch to find out more about becoming a life-changing corporate supporter of our Future Skills Programme. It's a great way to kick off your week! 🙏

Summer break is more than just a time to relax—it's a golden opportunity for students to explore and grow! Engaging in educational activities outside the classroom can enhance both personal and academic growth while keeping mental health in check. 🧠 Here are some fun and stimulating ways to make the most of your summer break: 🌟 Join Summer Programs or Workshops: Dive into hands-on activities in science, arts, and sports. These programs offer experiences that spark curiosity and develop new skills. 🌟 Engage in Extracurricular Activities: Whether it's volunteering at an animal shelter, participating in a charity bike ride, or building imaginative blanket forts, these activities boost creativity, teamwork, and leadership skills. 🌟 Explore Online Resources: Discover educational websites, online courses, and virtual tours. Learn at your own pace and delve into topics that excite you. What are your favorite ways to keep your children engaged during the summer? Let us know in the comments! #EarlyChildhoodEducation #HeadStartProgram #EarlyHeadStart #EarlyLearning #SummerVacation

So I've just finished facilitating for the latest cohort at Leaf 's "History to Shape History" programme, and I believe some of the ideas that have spawned from prominent discussions I've had are indeed beneficial for all :): 1) Anyone has the power to influence and make an impact: Whether that may be conducting research pertaining to a specific topic, or giving to charity, or being politically active, no matter who you are, you are able to make a difference to the grand scheme of things. Though you may be limited to being a Student (for most of my network) either doing GCSEs or A Levels, whatever skill set you may have is unique to yourself and yourself only, and such distinctiveness is valuable to any high impact career path you may pursue! 2) Keep. Learning. As we progress further into an evermore interconnected society, it is imperative to have as wide as of a general knowledge base as you may upkeep. Everything of a social, political and economic nature is deeply intertwined, each equipped with its own bountiful niches and nuances. I highly advise you become not only familiar with mainstream issues, but induce as many eclectic interests as you can have. It's helped me picture things and explain phenomena not many can do due to having a wider picture on the matter at hand!!! 3) Push your boundaries. For personal and more recent reasons, I currently stink at public speaking compared to who I was 2 years ago. My cohort can reaffirm that haha, but it was an absolute blast fighting my nerves and having fruitful discussions with them encompassing the week-specific topic, as well as educating them on further research topics they weren't exposed to that assisted in their understandings. They really ended up enjoying it, I ended up enjoying it - it's a win-win! Don't just work for money - be a person of principle whatever sector you work in, and make that impact you want to see on the world. As a wise Tesco once said: "Every Little Helps".

This will be a great session! Carmen R. Darville always delivers impactful content, and I leave sessions with clear action steps and focused areas for growth as a leader. 🌟 Seminar is offering amazing content for charter leaders in the coming weeks—don't miss out! #Leadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #CharterSchools #Education #ImpactfulLearning #StrongStart

Years ago, I worked a ropes course program with Christine Earp when she did something that blew my fragile twenty-something mind. "Mark, this is my twelve-year-old son, Brendon. He's going to facilitate the group with us today." "Shouldn't he be in school? It's a weekday." I replied. "This is his school today. He gets to practice everything he's learning and experience what his mother does for a living firsthand." We treated Brendon like one of the team, and he helped where he could. He made his mother proud. *** Today, I brought my twelve-year-old daughter to a WorkPlay event. Peggy was our unofficial "intern" and co-facilitator as we led a team-building day for West End Elementary School. She did AWESOME! The teachers loved her energy and enthusiasm. My two takeaways: 1. Kids are far more capable than we give them credit for sometimes. 2. You never know which of your decisions will stick with someone and bear fruit twenty years later. Make good choices. Thanks, Christine, for leading by example and bringing your child to work all those years ago. #workplay, #teamwork, #teambuilding, #funatwork, #professionaldevelopment, #parenthood, #takeyourkidtoworkday, #romega, #westendelementary, #rcs , #choosewisely, #leadership, #homeschool, #exerientiallearning

Every morning, I am greeted not just by tasks, but by a sense of purpose. So few professions can boast the inherent satisfaction that comes with guiding and shaping the minds of the young people in our schools. I stand witness to the impact we have in the lives of young individuals, particularly in their crucial post-16 education decisions. One of the most pivotal stages in a student's life is the transition from secondary education to post-16 education. It's a time of choices, uncertainties, and aspirations. There are academic pathways, vocational pathways, apprenticeships. The power of informed decision-making cannot be overstated. Through workshops, assemblies, interactive sessions, and more, we arm students with necessary insights into their post-16 options. We dissect the complexities and amplify the opportunities available to them. Witnessing young people go from unsure to understanding. Hearing the assurance in their voices. It is a testament to the impact of the effort School Engagement teams put in across the country. I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Blessed with the opportunity to play a part, however small, in sculpting the educational choices and nurturing the potential of our youth. I am reminded of the profound privilege in our vocation. Each day is not just a job but a blessing – a chance to inspire, empower, and shape the future generation.

Sorry for this rant on A Level Day but here goes... Parents back off your kids on A Level Day They may or may not have achieved the grades they wanted. They may have to compromise, change subjects, take a year out, re-take, go to another institution or they may choose not to go to higher education at all and go down an apprenticeship route or straight into work. Life is a long game. We will all experience failure, disappointment, loss and even tragedy at some point. It is how we pick ourselves up, brush ourselves down, learn from our mistakes and take the next step that is important. What kids need to learn is resilience. It will be OK. I care more for work experience, values and a commitment to our cause than top grades.

🎓✨ Transforming Thursdays with Education! ✨📚 🌱 #GrowingTogether: Just like plants need water and sunlight to grow, our minds need education to flourish. Let's nurture a culture of lifelong learning, where we support and inspire each other to continuously grow and evolve. 📚 #ThursdayEducation #LearningIsLiberation