Today marks the launch of the third term of our ‘All pupils, every ambition’ campaign. In the coming weeks, we’ll explore the theme of ‘Enriched education’, looking beyond academic attainment to consider the importance of nurturing well-rounded citizens. We’ll explore how schools can boost pupils’ ‘soft skills’ such as creativity, assertiveness, and teamwork, as well as the role school governors can play in supporting learning outside of the classroom.
Becoming a school governor is an excellent way to support schools to enrich the education they offer. Find out more.
‘Cultural capital’ was added to the Ofsted inspection handbook in 2019, but what is it and how should we monitor it?
Download your free resource from GovernorHub and The Key for School Governors to get to grips with the term, learn how Ofsted will inspect it, and find out the kind of questions you can ask your school leaders.
This term’s questions are split into six sections to help school governors get to grips with cultural enrichment and the kind of questions you should be asking your governing board to make sure cultural enrichment is part of the school discussion in primary settings.
This term’s questions are split into six sections to help school governors get to grips with cultural enrichment and the kind of questions you should be asking your governing board to make sure cultural enrichment is part of the school discussion in secondary settings.
Today marks the launch of the third term of our ‘All pupils, every ambition’ campaign. In the coming weeks, we’ll explore the theme of ‘enriched education’, looking beyond academic attainment to consider the importance of nurturing well-rounded citizens. We’ll explore how schools can boost pupils’ ‘soft skills’ such as creativity, assertiveness, and teamwork, as well as the role school governors can play in supporting learning outside of the classroom.
Cultural experiences shape our lives in immeasurable ways. From the books we read to the places we visit, culture influences how we make sense of the world, empathise with others, and carve out career paths. As a school governor, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your unique cultural wisdom in ways that enrich the lives of the next generation and improve social mobility in your community.
Throughout the hectic school year, academic achievement and exam preparation can take priority over other pupil development activities. However, as our latest campaign emphasises, high-quality and immersive cultural experiences are vital for helping pupils flourish as young adults. Without them, pupils may lack the skills necessary to get on in life. So, how can school governors support busy school leaders to integrate cultural enrichment into an already-packed timetable?
What comes to mind when you hear the word “creativity”? Many of us view creativity as a kind of “gift” enjoyed by a talented few. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Everyone has the potential to express themselves through activities such as writing, painting, drawing, or making music. Creative expression isn’t about becoming the next James Baldwin or Frida Kahlo – the creative process alone can help young people grow and develop into well-rounded citizens.
As part of the ‘All pupils, every ambition: Enriched education’ campaign, we’re pleased to host a guest article by Yes Futures, a charity that specialises in delivering extra-curricular personal development programmes. Keep reading to learn about ‘soft skills’ and their importance in nurturing resilient young adults.
It’s undeniable that today’s young people are facing a time of turbulence and uncertainty, particularly following the disruption caused by COVID-19. As well as dealing with the aftermath of isolating lockdowns, young people are increasingly exposed to anxiety-inducing news stories and household pressures.
To illustrate how school governors can apply their specialist skills to improve pupils’ soft skills and diversify cultural education, we asked Vickie Butcher, Community Fundraising Manager for the NSPCC, to share her experiences of volunteering as a school governor.
Citizenship education is often overlooked in schools across England and Wales. With educators under pressure to develop students’ individual talents, it’s easy to forget that schools are also responsible for nurturing the communities of tomorrow.
Connecting students with opportunities outside the classroom is essential for broadening their horizons and developing their skillsets. Organising school trips and inviting speakers to deliver workshops exposes pupils to cultures, communities, and forms of knowledge they are unlikely to encounter in the classroom.
This week’s ‘All Pupils, Every Ambition’ article has been guest-written by Fabienne Crocket, UK Cost of the School Day Practitioner at Child Poverty Action Group. In it, Fabienne explores the economic barriers some children face when it comes to accessing culturally enriching experiences, as well as how school governors and schools can mitigate such inequality.
How can school governors support neurodivergent children to thrive? How can schools prepare children for an increasingly digitised employment landscape? What are some of the most rewarding aspects of becoming a school governor? In this fascinating and wide-ranging interview, we chatted to Felicia Johnston, Assistant Project Manager at Haringey Council, to discuss her unique governance experiences.
As you may be aware, our ‘All pupils, every ambition’ campaign is about equipping pupils with the tools they need to succeed in life. When wider societal issues such as climate change impact their wellbeing outside of school, educators may feel powerless to help. However, with the right resources and knowledge, schools and school governors can work together to help young people address some of society’s greatest challenges head-on.
Over the past 10 months, we’ve explored diverse issues affecting young people’s life chances and considered the vital role of school governors in improving access to development opportunities. Thanks to the participation of a wide range of fantastic collaborators, we’ve produced a rich array of resources to help prospective and existing school governors get to grips with the current education landscape, all of which you can find on our website.
Resources will be added weekly during the campaign. Check back regularly for informative articles, example questions to ask at board meetings and hear from current school governors as they share their stories of becoming a school governor.