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Vale of Evesham School
Post-16 Citizenship activity at Vale of Evesham School
We are a generic all age Special School catering for students with a very diverse and complex range of abilities and needs. Although our programme has focussed on target groups in our Post-16 department many aspects of our work involve other parts of the school or are indeed whole school initiatives
This year one class has been involved in a local press drive to save our local community hospital which was in danger of losing two wards. The students discussed the issues looking at the effects on the community. We looked at the campaign that was already well under way and methods that had already been used. We discussed ways that we could help and we wrote letters to various people of influence and power, including the Secretary of State for Health, Tony Blair and the Press. The students were able to see how they have some power to help make change. They had some replies to their letters. The campaign was successful at the time although recently the dangers have re-emerged. Our input was small but it felt like a big success at the time and the students learnt that every contribution no matter how small can, combined with others, effect change.
We recently had a residential visit to London to visit the Houses of Parliament and see all the sights. The students were able to relate what they have seen on TV to the real thing, helping to make links in their learning.
Many other students, some with complex learning difficulties, are involved in opportunities to help others mostly through fund raising. This year there have been several projects through out the school to help raise awareness and funds for good causes. We had an X-factor competition in school. This was a school council initiative to raise money for Save the Children, which the chairman of the council, organised and helped to judge.
Citizenship coordinator's top tips for setting up post-16 citizenship activity:
- Have a project in mind if the students don't come up with any issues. I find the best ideas are those that are very relevant to the lives of the students and their immediate community. It can then be linked to more global issues where appropriate.
- I have found that the best way to ensure citizenship activities happen is, wherever possible, to embed it into the curriculum and not just in citizenship lessons. We have recently decided to develop the vocational opportunities for our students and when looking at a leisure and tourism module we built in a citizenship element. They would be looking at what sport and leisure facilities there were in the town but also researching what isn't there, what could be there and how to go about making the desired changes.
- Let students where appropriate do as much as they can themselves.
- Just get going! Learn and develop as you go!
How this organisation could help you:
Very happy to discuss post-16 citizenship with any other like establishment interested in developing it in their school. Happy to show others what we have done and to share any appropriate resources.
Returning students would be pleased to talk about their work and projects to visitors. Also happy to share leaflets, photos of events and activities, examples of student work and how such work is accredited through Asdan programmes and wider key skills.
For more information see also the Vale of Evesham School leaflet on post-16 citizenship activity.
Contact information
Name of citizenship coordinator: Pam Foley
Citizenship coordinator’s telephone:
01386 443367
Citizenship coordinator’s email:
pfoley@valeofevesham.worcs.sch.uk
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