They’re not for the children!

A couple of years ago I had the great fortune to visit schools in Italy.   Having visited a number of schools around Europe over the last few years I know what I experienced in there in term of their use of ICT was not usual.    It made me realise how far we have come in this country, and although there is still much to do to ensure our curriculum is relevant to children and our use of ICT prepares them for tomorrow’s world – we certainly have the edge of many of our European counterparts.

Through the British Council we were developing a project with partner schools in five EU countries (Germany, Finland, Italy, Czech Republic and Belgium) at the initial planning meeting I suggested we use a shared blog and maybe create a wiki for the children to collaborate.   This raised a few eyebrows and voices of concern but most worries were allayed when we agreed that at our visit to Italy we would go through how each online element of the project would work.  It’s fair to say we were working with a number of differing levels of competence regarding ICT and this was borne out on each of our visits, but the Italian visit in many ways seemed to set the tone for the subsequent trips.  On reflection, I certainly over estimated the use of ICT in the project.

On arriving at the first of our Italian partners’ schools we set about going through how to use the shared European blog we had created.   The teachers very proudly took us to their ICT suite.   The large, iron shutter, similar to a high street shop’s protective front, was unlocked and lifted to reveal a small suite with all computers and monitors covered with dust sheets.  ‘Don’t the children use the computers very much?’ asked James, one of our staff.   ‘The children?’ came the reply. ‘These are not for the children!’ It didn’t look like the staff got much use of them either!

Pupil led clubs

One of the things that has delighted me  most in school this term is the rise of pupil led clubs.   As a large school it is always difficult to ensure all groups are catered for in terms of extra curricular provision.   Many staff give up a huge amount of time to run clubs in their own time,  but this term the programme on offer has been complimented by a number of additional groups run by our older pupils.   They have organised a range of clubs such as ‘Little Actors’, ‘Dance Divas’ and ‘Little League‘ all aimed at the younger children and run at lunchtimes and after school.   The children submit a written bid outlining, where and when the club will take place, how long it will run for, what the children will do and how many places they can offer.   They have to find a willing adult who will oversee their efforts but this is a straightforward role for staff and they do not interfere with the organisation, planning or delivery of the sessions.

The children have shown a huge level of responsibility in organising their clubs, from advertising via assemblies and visits to classes to creating poster, writing letters to parents, taking registers and planning in detail exactly what happens at each session.   They have shown real leadership, consideration and maturity in how they go about their business.   The ‘Dance Divas’ for example, are over subscribed so the Y6 children organising the club have a waiting list for next term!   At the end of each six week course they are putting on a special assembly for the dancers to show what they have learnt to the rest of the school!   As this club runs after school the organisers make sure parents are there to collect their children and have introduced themselves to families both through their letters and in person at the end of each session.   The ‘Maths is Fun’ club has been organised for Y2 children and the Y6 girls running this club have spoken to the Y2 teachers so they can target their fun maths games at areas of most need. The Little League football club has also given some of our Y6 boys the opportunity to work together and organise themselves to the benefit of the infants, in a way that they can struggle to do on their own!

The children running these clubs are learning an awful lot about teamwork, organisation, planning and accountability (they have to ensure they are at the club in good time, well planned and ready for action!) They are evaluating their sessions and adapting things in light of their reflections.   They are thoroughly planned and are providing exciting opportunities for the younger children in school who don’t always get the range of options that the older children do.   The younger children love attending these clubs and working with the Y6 pupils.   They want to please them and try really hard each week with their given tasks.   It is proving to be a great model for extra curricular activity and one that looks set to go and grow.

The right return

Term began on Wednesday with the first of three Inset days.   We decided at the end of last term that we would get together on the first day back and share our favourite mental maths activities.  I like this sort of session at the beginning of the year, it’s a great way of involving everyone after the long break, it isn’t too heavy and it’s a lot of fun with plenty of practical emphasis.

This year we welcomed several new members of staff and the sharing good practice session is a nice way for them to get involved with the team (their mental maths example activities were also the best prepared by the way!)   Following introductions and welcomes we got ourselves into a large circle  and each person shared/modelled an activity that they like to use in class, that excites and motivates the children.

Some great examples were shared and we all had a lot of fun making string shapes, playing quick draw maths, loop cards and finger sums, amongst others (when they’re all written up I’ll post them here.)   This year we are introducing an additional short daily maths session to play these games so we’re going to have a booklet with loads of examples in as a resource we can add to throughout the year.

The first day back can be a tricky one, there’s always so much to do, so many things that need sorting out before the children come back and so many things you thought you had covered only to find they need more attention!   Yesterday got us all back into the swing of things though, it gave us all a chance to get straight back into looking at learning and enabled everyone to contribute and feel involved.   Long may the mood continue!