Citizenship champions
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Gladys Aylward School
Post-16 Citizenship activity at Gladys Aylward School
The intergenerational citizenship module was introduced into the sixth form in 2002. It relies on a close partnership between the school and the local branch of Age Concern. Together the ex-deputy head of the school and the local Age Concern coordinator devised a programme involving all 120 Year 12 students and about 30 older volunteers from the community. The programme takes six weeks and runs during Core Time in the second half of the Autumn term of Year 12. It involves discussion of local issues in small groups, following a keynote input by a local expert.
The project involving the older volunteers came about as a result of health targets required for neighbourhood renewal funding. The local coordinator for Age Concern recognised the power of citizenship education in schools as a way of breaking down barriers between the old and the young, and in particular, diffusing the fear that many older people have of the young. She was involved in the initial plans for the project and for recruiting, training and supporting the volunteers. She identified a number of potential risks that have to be managed in the setting up of intergenerational projects, including:
- Selection, briefing and training of volunteer, including taking up of references, but not CRB checks, since there was to be no unsupervised one-to-one interaction.
- On-going support for the volunteers, being present at each event and arranging transport, warning the school about disabilities and access issues, ensuring that appropriate arrangements were in place for reception and refreshments
- Follow-up support to ensure that the volunteers had a chance to discuss their experiences and to hear about any outcomes for the school and the young people involved.
Every Monday morning for six weeks after the Autumn half term break, the whole of Year 12 gather for an input on a series of issues identified through discussion with students at the start of the academic year. The topics are of local interest and are introduced by a local expert, such as a councillor, an MP or a charity worker. The inputs are followed by structured discussions, facilitated by a member of staff and involving small mixed groups of older volunteers and students.
Community placements
In the Spring Term, students are offered the opportunity to take up community placements and/or to further develop some action around one of the issues that has particularly interested them. Youth Action Volunteers for Enfield (YAVE) find placements and supervise students while they are out of school. Some of the placements are facilitated by the older volunteers.
Aylward School and Community Action Group in assocaition with Envision run projects to make a difference in their community. Envision is an educational charity whch provides a support service to schools and youth groups who run citizenship projects. Project 2005/2006 saw the studetns re-design their school logo and plant it in our local park. The idea was conncecting the school to the local commuity through a conservation project.
Citizenship coordinator's top tips for setting up post-16 citizenship activity:
- Gain support from senior management
- Gain support from Head of sixth form
- Form links with external agencies
- Ensure younger students (KS3/4) are lso experiencing active citizenship and are aware of the concept of citizenship
- Build your citizenship activity in your core programme for 6th form
How this organisation could help you:
We are very happy to invite colleagues into my school to observe practice and discuss our citizenship programme in more detail.
Name of citizenship coordinator: Kimberley Constable
Citizenship coordinator’s telephone: 0208 803 1738
Citizenship coordinator’s email: kimberley.constable@gladysaylward.enfield.sch.uk
Organisation website: www.gladysaylward.enfield.sch.uk
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