chexs annual report 2012

(Registered charity No: 1139435)

Annual Reportand accounts 2011/2012

www.cheshuntextendedservices.co.uk

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

2

Message From The Chair ........................

Director’s Report ...................................

Treasurer’s Report ..................................

Trustees Report.......................................

Partnerships & Projects ...........................

Children & Young People ...........................

ChExs Family Fun ......................................

Family & Adult Learning ............................

Community................................................

Course Evaluation...................................

ChExs Integrated Support ........................

ChExs Parent Support .............................

Working In Partnership ..........................

WhaWhat They Say .......................................

3

4

5

6

18

29

4141

43

45

46

19

23

24

25

Message from the ChairMessage from the Chair

3

I am so very pleased to have the opportunity to write the first foreword as Chair of the newly established ChExs Charity. This year has been a momentous one for all as the team has set about establishing and transforming themselves and their working practices into a successful and sustainable charity.

DespitDespite this upheaval the team have remained committed to their aim of providing and assisting in the provision of educational services, extra- curricular activities, child care and an assortment of extended services for the benefit of the communities of Cheshunt and the surrounding area. In fact the Charity has managed to extend the numbers who are benefiting from the services offered this year. As an active and serving Head teacher in the local area I speak for many who believe that without the Director’s work some of our most disadvantaged families would struggle to connect and engage with the community and its support network.

AAs always, the Director’s unfailing optimism and passion have been key to this successful transfer to Charity Status. However we would both like to recognise the support and advice given by a number our partnership groups during this period and the commitment of the whole team in making the Charity status work.

SoSo what is next for the new Charity? The Director and the Board of Trustees are clear that the Charity needs to continue to source additional funding to provide a sustainable platform for the future. We also recognise the ChExs charity has a significant role to play in our current Government’s Big Society and Social Value Act by exploiting as many opportunities as possible to help local communities in the key areas of Social Justice, Social Mobility and Social Responsibility over the next year.

Jo GantChair Person for

ChExs Annual Review and Accounts

2011/2011

Director’s ReportDirector’s Report

4

I would like express my sincere thanks to many statutory, voluntary and community groups, businesses, volunteers, parents, carers, young people and children, with a special thank youtto Sainsbury’s Waltham Point Depot, Aylett’s Nursery and B3 Living for their continued support. Without your continued dedication, support, advice and guidance we would not have been able to help the communities we serve. ChExs has reached out to yet another record number of people this year, either through a course, service or project supporting children and young people, families and local community members. Please see further reports on partnerships and projects in this ChExs annual report 2011/2012. I would also like to say a special thank you for the on-going support and guidance I receive from the charity Trustees. This help is a fundamental factor on the charities developmendevelopment and progress during another very challenging year. The impact of ChExs’ work in 2011/2012 and future services/activities planned are identified within this report. The ChExs team have worked extremely hard and shown impressive loyalty and passion. These key skills and qualities are the deciding factors in the successful transition from Extended Schools control to Cheshunt Extended Services control. The team’s complete focus, drive and professional conduct is a testament to their commitment to the charity. ChExs is also grateful for the input we have received over the year from a dedicated team of volunteers including Lee Barnet, Rob Fitzsimon and Chris Thorne. OnOne challenge is to continually raise the profile of ChExs and in particular the effective role of ChExs as an organisation to deliver services/activities on behalf of statutory structures to help shape and develop the capacity for the local communities. We have conducted a health check review on the charity to enable local decision makers to meet with the ChExs team /Trustees and find out for themselves what we offer and how ChExs can help support their aims! WWe are constantly reviewing and assessing our current services, strategic aims and development goals, so they are more targeted and effective. It is essential that the opportunity to develop revenue streams beyond our statutory services to the Extended Services Core Offer is taken in a timely manner in order to create the optimum conditions for its’ successful sustainability. Everyone within the organisation will need to be clear on the charities four outcomes which are linked to the charities objective. WWe endeavour to ensure ChExs’ local knowledge and support for the families and local communities continues to be recognised as one of the most valuable benefits ChExs has established . The team’s ability to adapt and show flexibility is a deciding factor in the successful support the Children & young people Support Worker and Parent Support deliver to the families we serve, helping to demonstrate our worth. This also heavily links with the coalition Government’s ‘Big Society’ and Social Value Act that highlights the importance of developing mechanisms to help local communities around Social Justice, Social Mobility and Social Responsibility. “Socia“Social value” understands how threatened resources are and seeks to ensure that distribution of the limited services and support mechanisms are implemented in an all-inclusive approach in order to increase the optimum impact and outreach. This approach encompasses looking beyond the price of each individual contract and looking at what the collective benefit to a community is when an organization whose work is part of the process of government, but is not a government department chooses to award a contract. Social value asks the question: ‘If £1 is spent on the delivery of services, can that same £1 be used to also produce a wider benefit to the community?’ ExamplExample 1 ChExs inclusion projects - Children/young people engaged in positive activities which improve school relationships and raise their self-esteem, confidence and aspirations whilst developing vital life skills such as problem solving, working with others and improving own learning. All of which help with their attainment and achievement! However the project reaches out much further by helping to unite a community through encouraging people to work together with a sense of belief and ownership tackling local issues whilst improving relationships within the whole community and enhancing the appearance and promoting ownership of the local environmentenvironment. Example 2 ChExs Family Fun helps support children’s development and achievement whilst improving family relationships and values by encouraging families to spend quality time together! Please see further reports on partnerships and projects in this ChExs annual report 2011/2012. As for the future, ChExs whole aim for 2012 onwards is to create a sustainable five year platform to reach out further into the community. Staying focused and steered by local needs enables us to continue providing services and activities to our schools and local community. Our on-going aim will be to continue to develop and deliver relevant initiatives to support the Social Value Act and strive to support and help the local communities of Cheshunt and the surrounding areas.

Pete MaidenChExs Director

Treasurer’s ReportTreasurer’s Report

5

To the trustees and members of the Cheshunt Extended Services. I have pleasure in reporting on the accounts of the ChExs for the year ended 31st August 2012.

AAs Director of Cheshunt Extended Services, Peter Maiden and his team have worked tirelessly to promote the services of the organisation within the local schools and community to ensure that best value has been obtained from both the grants distributed by the Local Authority and membership subscriptions from Schools. Additional funds have been generated by running paid for projects and applying for additional external grants. Full details of the projects are distributed widely to members and the local community through the regular newsletters and show substantial local engagement.

ThThe detailed accounts show the breakdown of restricted versus unrestricted funds with trustees agreeing that the 3-6 months of funding should be retained as unrestricted funds to ensure that the work of ChExs can continue in the case of an unexpected drop of income or cessation of grants.

ThThe Charity continues to rely significantly upon the Transition Partnership funding available from Herts County Council, however, the team is working resolutely to obtain additional third party funding such as lottery grants. The accounts for the year ending 31st August 2012 show a healthy carry forward to 2012-13 and careful husbanding of resources together with expanded project income generation should ensure the financial stability of ChExs whilst additional grant funding for the long term.

Rachel EngelChExs Treasurer

Trustees’ReportTrustees’Report

6

Trustees A.D. Gorton J.C. Gant G. Virtue P.A. Bishop S.A. Farmer P. Hewitt R. Engel P. Walkinshaw

Charity number 1139435

Principal address Turnford School Mill Lane Cheshunt Herts. EN8 0JU

Independent examiner Campbell Wilson ACA ATII Howard Wilson Chartered Accountants 36 Crown Rise Watford Herts WD25 0NE

Legal and administrative information

Trustees' report 7

Statement of trustees' responsibilities 9

Independent examiner's report 10

Statement of financial activities 11

Balance sheet 12

Notes to the accounts 13

Contents


7

The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2012.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's [governing document], the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities", issued in March 2005.

Structure, governance and managementThThe charity was established by the establishment of a constitution which was adopted on 24 November 2010. The organisation was registered as a charity on 22 December 2010 and commenced operations on 01 September 2011. The charity is also known as "ChExs".

The trustees who served during the year were: A.D. Gorton (Appointed 1 September 2011)J.C. Gant (Appointed 1 September 2011)G. Virtue (Appointed 1 September 2011)P.A. Bishop P.A. Bishop (Appointed 1 September 2011)S.A. Farmer (Appointed 1 September 2011)P. Hewitt (Appointed 1 September 2011)R. Engel (Appointed 1 September 2011)P. Walkinshaw (Appointed 1 September 2011)

ChExsChExs openly invite all community members via ChExs website, mailing circulation and word of mouth to put themselves forward for nomination of election to the charity by completing the ChExs nomination form for election of trustees to Cheshunt Extended Services Trustee board. When a position becomes available the board of Trustees then undertake a skills audit of nominations and invite all potential trustees to meet the board before a decision of recruitment and appointment to the ChExs Trustees Board is made.

AlAll new trustees are provided with a trustee induction pack to assist them with the role they are to provide.

ChExChExs is governed by the charity Trustees via the Charity Constitution. The ChExs Director will be held responsible by the ChExs Chair and trustees. The ChExs Trustees have responsibility for decision making based on informed guidance, as applicable to their ChExs responsibilities. They act as representatives of their organisations based on delegation from our constitution. All consortia partners will have consultations/input to steer services and delegate day to day running of the charity to the Director. The ChExs Director will meet all consortia Headteachers/School Links every term with a current agenda. This is to enable the Extended Service Development to bebe monitored. Meetings will be three times a year. The group may choose to call extraordinary meetings to consider issues and action outside the normal cycle of meetings (or where an urgent response is required.) The time of the meetings will also be rotated to give equal opportunity for members to attend. A timed agenda will be provided.

The trustees has assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Objectives and activitiesChExs aim to provide and assist in the provision of educational services, extra-curricular activities, child care and extended services for the benefit of the communities of Cheshunt and the surrounding area.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

[Details of the activities of the charity during the year (see SORP 2005 s47 (e) )]

Trustees’ Report


8

Achievements and performanceFinancial review

The financial results are set out in the following Statement of Financial Activities. The net results for the year ended 31 August 2012 amount to an unrestricted surplus of £43,474. This has allowed the trustees to set aside funds of £12,650 towards a Redundancy Fund which, given the general climate the trustees believe is appropriate to have in place.

IIt is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees considers that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.

Under the constitution, the charity has the power to make any investment as the Trustees see fit.

Plans for the futurePlans for the futureThe charity is looking to expand its operations in the coming period and is seeking additional funding in order to achieve this. Whilst looking to grow the charity is conscious not to allow itself to grow at a rate ahead of its abilities and is therefore seeking funding over a number of years to allow for a steady growth both with its current members as well as developing new relationships outside its current group and increasing its membership.

On behalf of the board of trustees

TrusteeTrusteeDated: 20 November 2012

Trustees’ Report


9

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year.

In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and

- prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

ThThe trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities


10

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2012, which are set out on pages 5 to 12.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examinerThe charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to: (i) examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; (ii) to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and (iii) to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's reportMMy examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement belowbelow.

Independent examiner's statementIn connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (a) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: (i) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and (ii) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act; have not been met; or (b) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Campbell Wilson ACA ATII

Chartered AccountantHoward Wilson Chartered Accountants 36 Crown RiseWatfordHertsHertsWD25 0NE

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of

Cheshunt Extended Services


11

Notes

234

5

Statement of Financial Activities

Including Income and Expenditure Account


12

Current assetsCash at bank and in handCreditors: amounts falling due within one year

Total assets less current liabilities

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Net assets

Income fundsIncome fundsRestricted funds

Unrestricted funds: Designated funds

Other charitable funds

The accounts were approved by the Trustees on 20 November 2012

Trustee

Notes

11

12

14

15

Balance Sheetas at 31 August 2012


13

1 Accounting policies

1.1 Basis of preparationThe accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard No 1 from the requirement to produce a cash flow statement on the grounds that it is a small charity.

ThThe accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities", issued in March 2005 and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity has followed the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008).

1.2 Incoming resourcesDonations, legacies and other forms of voluntary income are recognised as incoming resources when receivable, except insofar as they are incapable of financial measurement.

GrantGrants receivable are credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the year for which they are received. Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released toincoming resources in the period for which it has been received.

1.3 Resources expendedResources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis inclusive of VAT.

1.4 PensionsThThe charity operates a defined contributions pension scheme. Contributions are charged in the accounts as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

1.5 Accumulated fundsRestricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the accounts. Expenditure meeting the criteria as set is allocated against the specific reserve in the year it is incurred.

DesignateDesignated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the Board of Trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the accounts.

2 Investment income

Interest receivable

Notes to the Accountants

for the Year Ended 31 August 2012


14

3 Incoming resources from charitable activities

Inclusion income Membership income Project income

Included within income relating to inclusion income are the following grantsUnrestricted funds income:Lead School Turnford Transition Funding Lead School Turnford Transition Funding Other grantsRestricted funds income:Broxbourne CCPositive Relationships Awards for AllLocality Budget Grants

4 Other incoming resources4 Other incoming resources

Other income

5 Total resources expended

Costs of generating fundsCosts of generating donations and legacies

Charitable activitiesCore activitiesActivities undertaken directlyActivities undertaken directly

Governance costs

6 Costs of generating donations and legacies

Other costs comprise: Advertising

Notes to the Accountants (continued)



15

7 Activities undertaken directly

Other costs relating to core activities comprise:Unrestricted fund expenses:Project costs Staff training Insurance RentRentOffice costsTravelProfessional feesSundry expensesBank chargesRestricted fund expenses: Project costsProject costs

8 Governance costs

Other governance costs comprise: Accountancy

9 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

10 Employees10 Employees

Number of employeesThe average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Charitable activities

Employment costs

Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costsOther pension costs

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.

11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditorsTaxes and social security costs Other creditorsAccrualsDeferred incomeDeferred income




16

12 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Deferred income

13 Pension and other post-retirement benefit commitments Defined contribution

Contributions payable by the company for the year

14 Restricted funds

ThThe income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Movements in funds

Positive Relationships Locality Budget Grants Broxbourne CC Awards for Al

PositivPositive Relationships are funds given to ChExs to provide a number of services around specific projects run by the charity.

Locality Budgets represent grants given to ChExs towards the running of First Aid courses, SEN work and other specific projects

Broxbourne CC represents funds given towards the Positive Relationship project within the Broxbourne area.




17

15 Designated funds

The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:

M ovement in funds

Contingency Fund

ThThe contingency fund was set up in order to provide funds to cover for any unexpected expenditure that the charity should face, as well as provide a fund towards redundancy should the charity have to reconsider its operations, subject to funding.

16 Analysis of net assets between funds

Fund balances at 31 August 2012are represented by:Current assetsCreditors: amounts falling due Creditors: amounts falling due within one yearCreditors: amounts falling dueafter more than one year



Pertnerships & ProjectsPertnerships & Projects

Arlesdene Communi

ty Day

ChExs Young

People Steer

ing Group

Inclusion/Community Project

HFLS Family & HRC A

dult

learning Math/Englis

h

ChExs Family Art & Craft

ChExsFamilyZumba

ChExs Paediatric First Aid Courses

ChExs Team Building

Children with Disabilities

18

Children/Young PeopleChildren/Young People

19

ChExs Growing Club starts again.VEGETABLEVEGETABLES will be sprouting up for a fourth year in the ChExs Children Centres, primary and secondary schools and also Andrews Lane Primary and the reigning ChExs grow club champions St Paul’s primary schools. The ChExs grow competition was officially launched by Broxbourne MP Charles Walker and Chris Thorne from Aylett Nursery with the reigning champions St Pauls Primary School. Charles has seen the clubs grow over the last 4 years and “can’t believe the enthusiasm and passion the schools show and how they raise the bar every year”year”. Charles will be presenting the prizes at Cedars Park on Sunday 15th July 2012 and Chris will be on judging panel.

The Grow Club has continually developed every year and this time involves children and young people from local schools in the Cheshunt/Waltham Cross area.

2 children’s centres 1.Arlesdene Children’s Centre2.Greenfield Children’s Centre2.Greenfield Children’s Centre

3 secondary schools1.Cheshunt Secondary School2.Goffs Secondary School 3.Turnford Secondary School

15 primary schools:1.Andrews Lane Primary School 2.Brookland Infant School 3.Brookland Junior School 4.Burleigh Primary School 5.Churchfield Primary School6.Dewhurst St. Mary Primary School6.Dewhurst St. Mary Primary School7.Downfield Primary School8.Four Swannes Primary9.Holdbrook Primary School10.Holy Trinity Primary School11.Hurst Drive Primary School12.Longlands Primary School13.Millbrook Primary School13.Millbrook Primary School14.St. Josephs Primary School 15.St Pauls Primary School

ChExs Grow Club 2012

ChExs Grow Club,Peter Seabrook/Aylett’s Training/Chelsea Flower Show

Holdbrook SchoolPeter Sea

brook

- Holy Trinity Scho

ol

Cheshunt School

Peter Seabrook is the British gardening writer and television broadcaster well known for his work on the long running BBC gardening programme, Gardeners' World and he is currently the gardening correspondent of The Sun which runs the Chelsea Flower Show Miracle Growers Competition. Peter kindly offered to talk to all schools, volunteers, children and young people involved in the ChExs grow club which has now also been linked to the Chelsea Flower Show Miracle Growers Competition.

FirstlyFirstly he held a school assembly at Holy Trinity Primary school motivating and educating the children on how to grow crops. This then followed with a workshop to ChExs school staff, volunteers and secondary school students about growing techniques before Aylett’s conducted their grow club training to the ChExs clubs.

This was a fantastic and unique opportunity for the children at Holy Trinity Primary, ChExs consortia school staff/volunteers and young people. They all learnt new skills which have helped support and develop their clubs. This was confirmed during a visit from John Clowes and Jane Hartley from the Chelsea flower show Miracle-gro, who were amazed with the enthusiasm, passion and dedication in the 7 school clubs they visited on Mon 30th April, further highlighted with the positivity the schools are still showing despite the very rainy weather they havhave had. It is hoped from the visits (fingers crossed) some ChExs schools will be selected to show off their crops at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. Good Luck!

Finally, I would like to thank Chris Thorne from Aylett’s Nursery who again has given his time in teaching children from ChExs primary / Secondary schools about the differences of buying their vegetables from a local supermarket or growing their own. Chris also showed them the difference in prices, what influences the price and the cost they need to sell their vegetables at during the ChExs school/farmers market. The crops sold will help each school to become sustainable for the following year and be able to buy their own seeds.ThThe ChExs farmers/school market finale will take place on Sunday 15th July 11-4pm at Cedars Park in partnership with Broxbourne Council, Broxbourne Housing Association, Sainsbury’s and Aylett’s Nursery, so there will lots of exciting and fun things to do as well as supporting your local school. Activities include a Climbing Wall, Giant Slide, Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, Hoola Hoop and Puppet show, not to mention all the schools competing in the ChExs Farmers market. So why not come along and support your local school and have a a fun day out. For more information please contact a member of the ChExs team.

Chelsea Flower Show Miracle-Growers Competition:

ChurchfieldChurchfield, Four Swannes and Downfield grow clubs were chosen to help support the Miracle-Growers Competition school stand at the Chelsea flower show. This was an amazing and privileged opportunity for all involved. The children and the school staff where certainly up for the challenge and proved to be very adept talking to the public about their experience with the grow club and the crops they have grown. It was so motivating and humbling to see them interact with the public showing their passion and enthusiasm for the competition. AlthougAlthough it was a long day for all involved the rewards certainly out-weighed the tiredness. Hopefully ChExs grow club schools will be as successful next year and who knows, we may even have more schools selected to attend. Everybody is looking forward to the ChExs Grow Club Grand Finale on 15th July in Cedars Park!!

Aylett’s Grow Club Training Churchfield Primary

Four Swannes Primary

Downfield PrimaryDownfield Primary

display. This will take place over the summer term culminating in the ChExs Grand Finale on Sunday 15th July 11-4pm in Cedars Park, Cheshunt and all will be aiming for the coveted prize of “overall winner “and to show their prize crops to the local community.

ThThe growing clubs have been a fantastic opportunity for children, young people, schools staff and local community volunteers to work together on a great project with the added benefits of helping improve fitness with outdoor exercise, reduce environmental impact and build a sense of pride and achievement with the crops grown displaying them during the Grand Finale. Due to the high interest from the children some of the schools have to hold the growing clubs twice a week and others had to put names into a hat! The club has a group of green-fingered communitcommunity volunteers who help run the clubs and judge the Grand Finale. The growing club promotes healthy lifestyles and diet and nutrition and has Ayletts Nursery running workshops for the individual growing clubs within ChExs which is based around economic wellbeing, highlighting the financial benefits and problems about growing your own crops

The final at Cedars Park on Sunday 15th July joins up with Broxbourne Play in Park, so there will lots of exciting and fun things to do as well as supporting your local school. Activities include Art and Craft, Climbing Wall, Palm Trees, Giant Slide, Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, HoolHoola Hoop, Puppet show not to mention all the schools competing in the ChExs Farmers market; so why not come along and support your local school and have a fun day out. For more information please contact a member of the ChExs team.

They will be growing a massive 19 different specific crops including Beetroot, French Beans, Carrots and flowers including Calendula, Sweet Pea and Gerbera Garvinea to name a few. Not only will they be busy growing vegetables/flowers but they will also get creative designing and making items to complement their

Grow Club St Pauls


20

Since the beginning of October this year Holdbrook Primary School, Cheshunt Extended Services, Broxbourne and East Herts CVS and Discover Children’s Story Centre have been working on a literacy intervention project, Catching Words, in Hertfordshire. The project is a 24 week programme supported by Graham Rowlandson Foundation focusing on improving literacy for children aged 6 to 7 and preparing them for the best possible start to Key Stage Two, the next phase of their schooschool career.

Catching Words has been developed to ensure children are exposed to a rich variety of stories, new vocabulary, the confidence to find independence as a writer and to unlock the motivation and desire to write. These objectives are met throughout the course of a full academic year. The children take part in meaningful sessions combining Discover’s pioneering techniques which bring stories to life through creating, sharing and telling, with the knowledge of professional writers from the fields of poetrpoetry and fiction. Each term uses the skills of these facilitators to focus on different writing strategies including poetry techniques, story planning and collaborative story making and publishing.

The project has already seen success when it was first delivered in Discover’s home, London Borough of Newham in east London. The original pilot in 2009 at Sir John Heron’s Primary School was so successful that SHINE and The Foyle Foundation funded the project to be extended out to a further five schools. Within the four schools it has been delivered in during 2009-2010, Catching Words has had a significant impact on pupils’

attainment levels. Pre project 22.75% of participants were achieving the levels of literacy expected of them and post project this percentage had risen to 62.5%.

ChildreChildren at Holdbrook Primary School have enjoyed participating in the Catching Words sessions and visiting Discover Children’s Story Centre. Discover is looking forward to seeing more of their work and maintaining its relationship with Hertfordshire schools, especially in Cheshunt and Waltham Cross, in the future.

Pupils in the encha

nted forest

Making face masks for the story telling

Holdbrook Discover ReadingChildren are Catching Words with Discover

ChExs Director Pete has been giving talks within the local primary schools motivating and inspiring children to think about their aims and goals for the future. The children are being encouraged to develop their confidence and to step outside of their comfort zone in order to achieve their personal goals. ChExs motivational talks demonstrate that everybody can improve and reach their ambitions by working hard at school, it also encourages them to keep learning and movinmoving forward in a positive way ChExs links personal experiences with challenges to highlight that with dedication, enthusiasm and support everybody can achieve and reach their personal goals.

ChExs Motivation talk

ChExs Motivation talk Hurst Primary School

In March, 8 Yr 9 students from Turnford School were given the opportunity to attend a multi-agency Positive Relationship Project. The project is aimed at allowing the students to explore and learn about all aspects of relationships, giving them the knowledge and confidence to become ambassadors in raising awareness amongst other young people.

The project began with a team building day at an activity centre to allow the students to gain trust in each other and the professionals before attending sessions delivered by the project partners; school nursing team, ChExs, Youth Connexions Hertfordshire, B3 Living (formerly known as Broxbourne Housing Association), Hertsaid and Arlesdene Children’s Centre. All agencies offered their time, services, knowledge and advice which led to an information packed week. The week concluded with the student’s giving a presentation to many ofof the professionals, including Councillor Chris Mitchell, which was a fantastic reflection of the information that the students had learned during the project.

The students worked really hard and coped extremely well with all the challenges they were faced with. Their enthusiasm and willingness to take part was unending and has resulted in the students sharing the information with their peers in Year 9 at Turnford School. It is now planned to roll out this exciting programme to other secondary schools within the local area in the next academic year.

Positive Relationships Project

Team Building Induction day

Final day Presentation

School Assembly presentation


21

J Sainsbury’s Waltham Point Depot have been amazing in the continued support they have given ChExs over the last 3 years. To date they have given 1890 children the opportunity to receive road safety information. This has been given to all year 6 children within the ChExs primary schools and also Brookland Infants Yr 2 children. The Road Safety workshops have involved a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) attending each school to raise awareness of the vehicles’ blind spots and inform pupils of the dangers associated with HGV’s. Pupils are encouraged to explore ththe interior of the vehicle and have lots of fun learning first-hand how limited visibility is at certain points along the vehicle. The children learn that if you cannot see the driver in his mirror, he cannot see you! This very important community service will be repeated again by J Sainsbury’s Waltham Point Depot in the next academic year.

Longlands Primary School

Sainsbury Road Safety

J Sainsbury’s Waltham Point Depot have been amazing in the continued support they have given ChExs over the last 3 years. To date they have given 1100 year 6 pupils the opportunity to visit the depot. Year 6 pupils from all (ChExs) Primary Schools have been learning all about how J Sainsbury Waltham Point Depot operates and supports Sainsbury’s Supermarkets. The Depot has been highlighting future career opportunities for the pupils within the organisation and conducting a fascinating tour on how they service anand supply Sainsbury’s supermarkets. Year 6 pupils from each Primary School are split into 2 groups and toured the Depot on consecutive days. The groups are divided into 3 teams, each doing a different task; these involve a tour of the depot, a presentation about the history of Sainsbury’s. The pupils also have the task of creating a poster to display what they have learned throughout the tour which is entered into a poster competition. The winning team, judged by Sainsbury’s staff has the pride of having theitheir poster displayed within the Depot as well as receiving some delicious prizes. All pupils and School staff have found the visit very interesting and they did not realise the sheer size of the depot and all the different jobs and responsibilities it carries out. It is hoped for J Sainsbury’s Waltham Point Depot to continue giving this unique opportunity to future year 6 children for the foreseeable future.

Burleigh Primary School


Burleigh Primary

School

J Sainsbury’s Waltham Point Depot School Visit


22

ChExs Team Building Project is now in its fourth year and is once again challenging young people to step out of their comfort zone and try something different. The project comprises of two 5 day residential trips under canvas incorporating mental and physical challenges based around team orientated activities in various settings with specific team tasks in different environments and conditions. The project teaches the young people camp craft skills such as erecting a tent, effectively packing a rucksack, cooking on a stove, planninplanning navigation routes, and various physical activities. The aim of the project is to improve the young people’s self-reliance and engagement in teamwork, raising their confidence and self-esteem through experiencing different activities and environments to help with their future employability. The project is solely conducted by charity staff and support from Ben Wallis BCW Sports encompassing catering, activity delivery and transportation, keeping overheads to a minimum. The project works closely with Turnford, GoGoff’s, St Mary’s and Cheshunt secondary schools to identify six Year 9 or 10 students from each school who would benefit the most from the experience. The four schools are then split into two groups Turnford/Goff’s and St Mary’s/Cheshunt one going away before and one after the May half term.

Before the groups go away together they attend a team building induction day at Stubbers Adventure Centre to enable the groups to meet and to get to know each other. The students attend the induction in their set groups to break down barriers and to start working together as one team. The day involves a series of challenges to complete including: high ropes, team challenge course and tent building. It was not long before the 2 schools are acting as one group and working together to accomplish all the challenges they are set. This is a fantastic achievemenachievement for the young people who feel very proud at the end of the week.The whole project is a fantastic opportunity and all young people involved individually and collectively as a team, including the staff, learn many valuable life skills and experiences that help develop and support life challenges ahead.

ChExs would like to thank Dave Hewitt County Councilor District: Broxbourne Borough Cheshunt Central and Vice-Chairman of the County Council and Robert Gorden County Councilor District: Broxbourne Borough Goff’s Oak and Bury Green and Leader of the Council for funding £1000 and £250 to replenish old and warn adventure training equipment, Also a big thank you to Broxbourne Council’s community grant award of £4500 to help ensure these important service remains free to young people who are selected.

Quote from Cathy Walsh, Student Support Manager Cheshunt Secondary School‘Student X was so proud. He came and saw me as soon as he got in yesterday. I couldn’t stop smiling with him. He was still really bubbly from it and was telling me how much he enjoyed the water skiing. Walking was a bit tough but given the opportunity again he said he would definitely go. This is what it’s all about, seeing

someone shine and Student X was certainly doing that yesterday. Big thanks to all of you.’Quote from Student X ‘It makes me have confidence in me’

ChExs Team Building

The ChExs SEN club is now in its fourth year and every time I visit the children and families I am just blown away with their enthusiasm and passion. The club has become like a big family always welcoming and encouraging all who attend. The feedback from the water sports which took place at Herts Mariners in September/October was fantastic even though a few dads lost glasses and i-phones! I visited the club on their first session of Art and what a day, we spent two hours making birds and scarecrows, well I tried but my end result was nothinnothing to what the children had made. Riah one of the children who attends the club stepped up to the challenge in becoming the official photographer (See picture with this article) so not only has she now helped with the film interviews for the Chexs website she has now helped with the pictures. “Thanks Riah, you are far better at taking the pictures then me.” The next activity the club will be doing is WOO Creative Art and if last year is anything to go by everybody will have nothing but fun, fun, fun. All future dates can be seen on the SEN flyer on pagpage 4.

ChExs with support from Broxbourne Council Community Team and Turnford Community Sport have been running multi-sport sessions for young people from the local area at the Friday Night Project held every week between 7-8pm at Turnford School. With funding contribution from B3 Living (formerly known as Broxbourne Housing Association), FNP is able to deliver fun activities from football to dodge ball on Turnford’s astro turf pitch. The project provides an opportunity for local young people to meet up with friends in a safe and friendly environment and enjoy physical activities at a minimal cost.

Friday Night Project

SEN Club

SEN ClubSEN Club

Children with Disabilities

Cheshunt – S

t Mary’s

Young Peopl

e Team Buildi

ng Week

Cheshunt – St Mary’sYoung People Induction DayTeam Building Week Turnford

Goff’s Young People

Turnford Goff’s Young People Induction Day

Cheshunt – St Ma

ry’s

Young People Te

am Building Week

Team Building Week TurnfordGoff’s Young People

Team Building Week

Turnford

Goff’s Young People

ChExs Family FunChExs Family Fun

23

The ChExs team helped start the festive spirit within all the ChExs primary schools by running Crimble Craft Workshops for the whole of the community. Great fun was had by over 300 Mums, Dads, Aunties, Grandmas, Granddads, Nanny’s and other community members. Participants all had fun together, creating and sculpting many amazing decorations, with the primary children often working alongside their older siblings from Cheshunt, Goff’s and Turnford secondary schools.

ThThe ChExs team really enjoyed being part of the activity. The enthusiasm and creativity shown was fantastic with every workshop being developed with fresh and new ideas the children and young people where continually coming up with. The workshops Christmas atmosphere really helped everybody join into the festive spirit by bringing the community members into the school environment to have fun with their children, whilst enabling the school to become a more accessible venue that the whole of the community can benefit from. The Crimble Craft workshops werwere free to all, but a big thanks to the generous donations ChExs has received £107.97. All money received will be recycled into the charity for future activities and services for all to enjoy.

Downfield Primary

Holy Trinity Prima

ry

ChExs Family Christmas Craft Workshops

An EGGSiting time was had by all at the ChExs Easter craft sessions. All 13 primary schools in the ChExs area enjoyed an hour’s free family fun making cards and decorations in the run up to the Easter break. The children and families made; cute Easter chicks hatching from amazingly decorated eggs, beautiful, colourful butterflies and fantastically fancy pop up cards adorned with bunnies, ladybirds and bumble bees. Mum’s, dads and grandparents had as much fun as the children making their own creations and due to popular demand more ChExs crafcraft sessions are planned for next year. Although the sessions are free ChExs received £74.10 in donations which will go towards resources for the next craft sessions. AS the craft sessions are so popular 304 people attended overall, ChExs plan to offer extended craft sessions (11/2 hour) next year with Christmas, Easter and summer themes. Keep an eye out for dates in the new September 2012 brochure!

Longlands Primary

St Joseph’s

Millbrook Primary

ChExs Easter Craft Workshops

Parents/carers have been having loads of fun with their children taking part in ChExs Family Art & Craft. This activity is held within consortia schools at the end of of the school day for one hour. Parent /carers and children can all join in for a totally fun filled family experience developing the children’s motor skills. ChExs Art and Craft workshops are coming to a school near you in the new academic year, check out dates on the new 2012/13 ChExs Course activity booklet in September and at the back of newsletters.

“The Art & Craft is a great way to spend time with my daughter and we really enjoy being and making things together” Family Art & CraftBrookland Junior School

ChExs Family Art & Craft

Parents and community members have been having loads of fun with their children, taking part in Zumba. The activity is for one hour and everyone can join in. Zumbatomic classes are rockin’, high-energy fitness-parties packed with specially choreographed, kid-friendly routines and all the music kids love, like hip-hop, reggaeton, cumbia and more. Parents love Zumbatomic because of the effects it has on kids, increasing their focus and self-confidence, boosting metabolism and enhancing coordination. Zumbatomic rounds out family fitness goalgoals by giving parents and community members a great reason to do some exercise – for themselves, for their kids, for a totally fun family experience. Zumba has been or will be coming to a school near you soon. Dates can be found on the ChExs Adult / Family Learning Course programme February – July 2012 at the back of the newsletter.

ChExs Family Zumba

Four Swannes Primary

Four Swannes P

rimary

Family & Adult LearningFamily & Adult Learning

24

Congratulations to the parents/carers and community members who have completed their 12 hours HRC Volunteer in Schools Course at Burleigh and Hurst Drive. The course covers many areas including; thinking about your development, health & safety, keeping children safe, what is challenging behaviour in children and how can it can be dealt with through to understanding the different ways that children learn to read. The only experience you need to enrol on this free course is to be a parent or carer. All learning is in a friendly group led by an experienced aduladult education tutor.

The course is always well received and oversubscribed so book early! It is also hoped to repeat the course throughout the ChExs area in the next academic year.

HRC Volunteer in SchoolsHurst Drive Primary School“The course was excellent. It extended and reinforced topics covered especially child protection and maths. I would strongly recommend

the course”.

HRC Volunteers in School

Parents/carers and local community members have been having fun and learning skills to help them understand how to get the most out of computer technology. This was achieved by having a 5 week beginner’s computer course which covered the following; using the internet, staying safe online, using email, writing letters in Word and using spreadsheets and building overall confidence. As it is a small class each person has been able to pursue their own interests and areas that are relevant to them. We have set up email addresses for those who do not have one, somsome have researched their family tree whilst others have learnt skills to support them with employability or polished their existing skills improving confidence. The workshop style sessions are tailored to suit the individual and are fun, informal and relaxed with a great atmosphere.

"Clear, concise instruction""I felt completely accepted and understood in what I needed to learn"

"My level of skills was very low when starting and I am gaining more confidence and knowledge than expected. I am pleased with the experience""Very good and patient teacher!""I thought the course was wonderful"

"We all use computers for various aspects of work but non one has bothered to help people of my age who used an abacus at school!""Found a use for computers at home as well as work - left us with a great sense of achievement""Found a use for computers at home as well as work - left us with a great sense of achievement"

HRC Adult ICT course Turnford School

HRC Beginners & Progression Computer Courses

ChExs has continued to fund the paediatric first aid courses at an affordable amount with financial support from County Councillor Dave Hewitt of Cheshunt Central Division, and County Councillor Chris Mitchell of Flamstead End and Turnford Division, so family and community members can learn these vital life skills and help give them the confidence to deal with injuries children may encounter. Course learners also gain a qualification and learners receive a First Aid Certificate that meets Ofsted requirements. ThiThis course has been delivered at Greenfield and Arlesdene Children Centers both during the day and evening to give people the flexibility and opportunity to attend. Since September, 32 parents/community members have attended a 6 week paediatric course and they will be repeated again soon. Dates can be found on the ChExs Adult / Family Learning Course programme September 2012- July 2013 and at the back of newsletters.

GreenfieldChildrenCentre

The hard work and dedication from learners within the local community have been rewarded at the Broxbourne Learning awards with a ceremony that took place at Hertford Regional College on Saturday 26th March The event was well attended by ChExs learners from all around Broxbourne. The ceremony showcased the variety of activities/courses that have been happening from Family Pottery, yoga, Muddle Free Maths, Funky Computers to accredited family learning maths/English courses and many more. The event was organised by HAFLS with supporsupport from all the learning providers including HRC, Children Centres, WEA and B3 Living (formerly known as Broxbourne Housing Association). It was a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to celebrate their achievements and will be repeated next year. Please lookout for the ChExs 2012/2013 Course activity booklet which will have a full listing of the new programme.

Learning Awards

Broxbourne Family Learning Awards

ChExs Paediatric First Aid Courses

Family & Adult LearningFamily & Adult Learning

CommunityCommunity

25

Parents/carers and local residents have been busy learning new skills or brushing up on old ones in the form of everybody’s favorites math’s and English. Both subjects have been delivered around the consortium at various times and venues including evening classes, hopefully giving everybody an opportunity to take part if they wish. The courses not only help you understand how children/young people now learn at school so that you can help with homework being tackled at the kitchen table, but it can also lead to an accredited qualification. I was one of the latelater acquirers of GCSE Math’s/English and after 3 attempts I finally achieved the passes that employers/colleges look for. If I can do it anybody can! The courses generally start in September and March allowing enough time for the learners to complete the fifteen week course. The courses have very relaxed, friendly tutors and are attended by local residents and parents/carers from various schools within ChExs area. There has been an amazing response from people taking part in the courses, they have been enthusiastic and positive about their experiences anand have found it has given them the confidence to continue learning or help with the children’s homework. All attendees also find they have the opportunity to make new friends along the way.

There are currently two courses running within the consortium; Literacy and numeracy is currently taking place at Arlesdene Children’s Centre / Greenfield Children’s Centre. On this note why not get in touch with a ChExs team member and put you name down for a future course. ChExs is currently planning to run the courses again in the autumn term, so if you are interested or would like further information please do not hesitate to contact ChExs.

“I have really enjoyed working with a mixture of age groups during the course”“Really enjoyed the course it has really helped my children and I am so proud

have achieved level 2 in Math’s”“When I started the course my little boy was two weeks old but the flexibility with childcare with the course has helped me remain on the course and help

me improve my maths.”“Th“The crèche has really helped me take part in the course and remain with it

throughout.”

HFLS Family & HRC Adult learning Math/English

Goff’s School Year 9 students and local primary school children have had an exciting opportunity to work with the Purcell School of Music. The project involves Purcell students and alumni from the music conservatoires in the country working closely with Goff’s Year 9 students to teach them outreach skills to take into primary schools and teach and inspire children to love music and aspire to playing an instrument.

ThThe Goff’s students developed a workshop around Samba percussion and with the boundless enthusiasm and energy from Rebecca Stein (Head of Music at Goff’s) it was not long before the energy and rhythmic pulses inspired everybody to start drumming, striking, tapping and thumping various percussion instruments to create the most amazing and motivating sound for all to enjoy. Pupils are really encouraged to connect with the music through dance in the final part of the workshop, where the primary school pupils demonstrate what they have learned throughouthroughout the interactive session. The workshops will be running until the summer break in Goff’s local primary schools with the group then doing a mini concert during the ChExs Grow Club Grand Finale on Sunday 15th July 2012. It is also hoped that Goff’s will repeat the project in the next academic year so more children can experience this amazing project which has created a real ‘buzz’.

5 Gold RingsGoff's School/Local Primary Schools & Purcell School / Youth Music 5 Rings Project

Look out for C

heshunt Extended

Services Course

Booklet for

autumn 2012, sprin

g & summer 2013

For a full listing of courses for

families and community members

HFLS Family Maths

Greenfield Childrens Centr

e

Goff’s Yr 9 Students working with Yr 5 Pupils from Dewhurst St Mary’s Primary

Goff’s Yr 9 Students

working with Yr 5 Pup

ils from

Dewhurst St Mary’s Pr

imary

CommunityCommunity

26

Goffs School - Young People from Goff’s school have been working with the Groundwork Green Team to construct an outside work space. This has included building 7 raised beds in a variety of shapes and sizes; a walkway around the beds, a hard base area for a shed which will house the gardening equipment and fencing enclosure around the beds. The young people were fantastic and got straight into helping build the beds, learning new skills along the way such as problem solving, improving own learning and application of numbers. The raisedraised beds will help Young People develop an enthusiasm for growing crops and learn key skills on why, how and when to grow crops. The beds will also help increase their weekly physical exercise and give young people an opportunity to work closely with different age groups within their school helping build a school community. The project also has the potential to link with community volunteers who can offer support by giving their time to help support the growing club. Through attending the growing club young people will gain an understanding ofof the value of growing your own and the differences between buying from a supermarket. The club could also lay the seed into a career opportunity within the horticultural sector and the different types of job opportunities that are available.

Cheshunt School - Young people from Cheshunt School have been working with the Groundwork Green Team to construct new seating areas and walkways outside their dining hall. The new seating area has been constructed around the trees opposite the dining area with a bark walkway leading to the seating. They will give the school extra outside areas for young people to enjoy and relax whilst having their lunch/breaks (at least when the weather is nice). The students taking part in the project where full of enthusiasm and were constantly coming up with greatgreat ideas of how best to build them to benefit the school. The initial feedback from students who were not taking part in the project was really positive and they were looking forward to using the area, as were the school staff too!

Turnford School – Young people from Turnford School have been working with the Groundwork Green Team to finally complete the conservation area within the school grounds. The young people have been turning their hand to a mixture of tasks including, creating a walk way throughout the conservation area, an outside classroom table (which is massive!, seats made from logs from inside the conservation area, bird feeders, bird boxes and a notice board to name a few. This area has been created to enable the school to have an outside learninlearning resource so a variety of subjects and topics can further develop and enhance the learning outcomes for the students. This is achieved by having a physical learning resource which could include the Science department looking at the bio diversity in woodlands, Geography looking at climate change to the Art department having an area to explore and discover new ideas/features to study and draw.

Turnford

School

Turnford School

Turnford School

Cheshunt School

Cheshunt School

Cheshunt School

Goff’s Conservation Area - Students at Goff’s School dug into transforming a small area at the back of their school into a conservation area. Groundwork Hertfordshire’s Green Team helped the students landscape the area with tasks including, making a walk way through large fern trees leading to a very large classroom table, and constructing a notice board. The conservation area will be utilised by a variety of school departments, from Science, Art and PE to Design Technology to name a few. The areas will also help with Extended Learning outsidoutside of the schools day by giving after school clubs an invaluable resource to help engage and motivate students. This has already started to take effect with students putting up bird boxes that they have made in schools. Also the same students who have built the conservation area will now be using their skills and enthusiasm to mentor primary school children and help build children’s play area forts in Four Swannes and Millbrook Primary schools.

Cheshunt Picnic Benches - Young people from Cheshunt School have continued to work with the Groundwork Green Team to construct further seating areas within the quadrangle of Cheshunt School. The extra seats have already been used by students to relax on whilst having their lunch/breaks. The students taking part in the project were full of enthusiasm and are constantly coming up with great ideas of how the project can best improve and benefit the school. The same students who have built the seating areas will be now using their skills and enthusiasm to mentomentor primary school children and help build children’s play area forts in Burleigh and Holdbrook Primary schools.

Goffs School

Goffs School

Goffs School

Goffs School

Inclusion/Community Project

CommunityCommunity

ChExs in partnership with Groundwork Hertfordshire have been working with Young People over the last 8 months within Goff’s, Turnford and Cheshunt secondary schools. The projects included building raised beds, building picnic chairs around trees and creating conservation and outside learning areas. All of the projects have been fantastic and it has been brilliant to see how much the young people have developed and learnt from their experiences.

ChExChExs has developed the projects by involving the young people from the previous inclusion/community projects and local volunteers to help mentor and work with children from 7 different primary schools. The project aim is to promote inclusion and support between peer groups from the local community and engage secondary students and primary pupils in working together each day to help build outdoor play equipment for the benefit of the primary school.

DespitDespite the unpredictable weather the projects were conducted with Churchfield Primary and Hurst Drive Primary pupils working with Turnford Secondary students, Goff’s students working with Four Swannes Primary and Millbrook Primary Pupils and Cheshunt Secondary working with Holdbrook and Burleigh primary schools to make fantastic forts for children to enjoy in the playground. In addition, Turnford students worked with Downfield Primary pupils to build an amazing amphitheatre.

ChExs meeting with Nick HurdMinister of the Big Society

The secondary students rose to the challenge and were great mentors to the primary pupils and took on the responsibility for being positive role models. The primary pupils responded really well to the leadership and encouragement from the older students, and all young people enjoyed learning how to use the tools and skills needed to create the forts. The dedication and creativity shown within the group was extremely noticeable and the ownership they felt at the end of each day was very motivating with the added bonus of wonderful forts and amphitheatre the childrechildren can now play in.

These projects will help build positive relationships within the local community; help children and young people to raise attainment and achievement and build support networks within and between school, home and the community.

There are a further projects planned from September 2012.

Primary/Secondary Inclusion

Charles Walker MP Broxbourne arranged for Cheshunt Extended Services (ChExs) to present to the Minister for the Big Society Nick Heard at the Cabinet Office. The ChExs team explained how they involved and worked with numerous partners to encompass and utilise the massive array of skills, qualities, financial support, expertise and passion that makes up the ChExs’ area. These are made up from voluntary, community, local/international business and statutory settings from the cross section of our population. This has enabled ChExs to support anand devolve not only the services and activities we have been able to accomplish so far but also for the future planned programmes by local people, for local people.

“Nick Hurd acknowledged that ChExs is one of the strongest, if not the strongest case that epitomises the Big Society”

Cheshunt Extended Services Visit Nick HurdMinister of Big Society Cabinet Office

ChExs and Holbrook Primary School organised the annual Holdbrook Community Day. The special day took place on Friday 16th September and was officially started by Cllr Mark Bishop. The whole aim of the day was to bring together school families, local residents and community members alike to have fun. This was achieved with an array of different activities available and the large number of children and young people taking part. Activities included badge making, face painting, palm tree climbing, a giant slide, numerous bouncy castles,

BroxbournBroxbourne Council Play Rangers and dance mats, football, Self defense and the Majorettes to name a few. Also there were many organisation highlighting the work and services they provide to the Holdbrook Community, these included, Broxbourne Housing, HRC, Next Steps, NACRO, Hertfordshire Music services, Greenfield Children’s Centre, Police, Youth Connexions, Holmesdale Tunnel Project

AlAll in all the day achieved it’s aim with everybody spending time together and having fun.

The next Holdbrook Community day is to take place on 14th September, 2012.

Holdbrook Community Day in full swing

Climbing high!

Holbrook Community Day

Face painting on the day

Four Swannes PrimaryGoff’s SecondaryDownfield Primary

Turnford Secondary

Downfield PrimaryTurnford Secondary

Burleigh Primary

Cheshunt Secondary

Burleigh PrimaryCheshunt Secondary

Holdbrook Primary

Cheshunt Secondary

27

CommunityCommunity

28

Arlesdene Nursery School & Children Centre Community Day took place on Saturday 1st October 2011 in Blindmans Lane, Cheshunt. The weather was amazing for October with it being a glorious hot sunny day, bringing out over 60 families to enjoy the wonderful Nursery School & Children Centre activities and facilities along with a bouncy castle and Tolmers Activity Camp climbing wall, all supported by Cheshunt Extended Services and Broxbourne Housing Association. The staff of Arlesdene and ChExs were all on hand ensuring that ththe day went smoothly with Shelly, Arlesdene’s Outreach Worker, even having a go at the climbing wall!! A lot of the younger children had their faces painted and looked fantastic with tigers and butterflies being the most popular!

There were also loads of information about the Nursery School & Children Centre and the wide range of services they deliver along with other providers in the local area who deliver an array of services. Herts Regional College, Broxbourne Housing Association, Citizens Advice Bureau, Brian Woolnough First Aid, Bury Green Residents Association, Volunteer Centre and the local police all attended to offer support and advice which is readily available to all. Many thanks to all the organisations and volunteers who made the day possible and it is hoped the day will be repeated next yearwill be repeated next year Arlesdene Community Day

Arlesdene Community Day

Arlesdene Community Day

ChExs, in partnership with B3 Living (formerly known as Broxbourne Housing Association), have been working with Turnford School students to redevelop raised beds at Kennedy Close in Cheshunt. The students have spent the last 5 months volunteering, planting and designing raised bedding areas within Kennedy Close and have been commended on their efforts by Broxbourne MP Charles Walker who praised their effort and enthusiasm. The whole project created by ChExs and B3 Living gave an opportunity for students to give something back to ththe local community, learning new skills on the way and to develop and build on their confidence and self-esteem with the added advantage of highlighting future career opportunities. Charles said “It was so encouraging to see so many people taking such an interest in the welfare and development of these young people” Students involved were also invited to share what they had learned through BHA Cedar Lodge retirement scheme, talking to older residents over lunch about their recent experience. Brian Cooke, Community Development Manager at BHA, said “Th“The borough is overflowing with inspiring young people who have so much to offer our communities”. The programme has been so successful that it is hoped to be extended to other secondary schools.

Turnford with Changing Sessions Project

Turnford with

Changing Sessions

Project

Kennedy Close

ChExs always aims to provide activities and services that the community want and to involve the people affected by them in developing the services/activities because they know their needs best. For this reason ChExs has developed a Young People’s Steering Group to ensure that the views and opinions of children and young people are put forward to give the charity focus to develop future services and activities that they can take part in.

SeveSeven young people from the 6th forms of Cheshunt, Goff’s and Turnford School have volunteered their time, attended the ChExs charity meetings and formed their own group to co-ordinate an action plan and way forward. They have decided that a presentation to each of the local primary schools linked with a questionnaire would be the best way to gather the information that can then be put forward at the ChExs Charity meeting to decide on future activities.

AlreadAlready Alfie Cranmer and Laura Dos Anjos from Goff’s School have given brilliant presentations to two primary schools telling the pupils all about ChExs and what it can offer them. The pupils have been given the chance to tell us what they would like to do either in their spare time or as a project in school, so far sports and arts are favorites!!

ThThe ChExs Young People Steering Group will be visiting all of the schools in the consortium in the near future to complete the analysis and to make sure that activities are just what you want!

ChExs Young People Steering Group

Turnford Meet and explain the

project to the residents

Young People Steering G

roup

ChExs Course EvaluationChExs Course Evaluation

29

During the academic year of 2011-2012, Cheshunt Extended Services delivered a variety of courses and activities to 1337 community members within the area. These courses where delivered in conjunction with numerous organisations including Hertford Regional College (HRC), Hertfordshire Adult Family Learning Services (HALFS). These courses and activities were available to all families and community members within the Cheshunt/Waltham Cross area, however, many were accessible to the greater Broxbourne community. ChExs is in a unique position to formulate an overall analysis of all courses and activities from a cross section of providers including HRC, HAFLS anand ChExs. This approach creates a true and transparent overview of the future needs of the local community, therefore enabling ChExs to offer a targeted and specific programme with support from other partner organisations for the forthcoming year!

ChExs courses and activities were developed and advertised in line with the charities aim of ensuring ‘that children, young people, families and communities within Cheshunt and Waltham Cross have greater access to a varied range of activities and services that support their specific learning and development needs as well as improve their physical and emotional wellbeing’. The findings within this evaluation will direct future courses and activities.

ThThe findings in report below have been calculated from evaluative questionnaires collated from the ChExs range of courses. All courses/activities are intended to make the participant feel a sense of achievement leading to raised confidence and enthusiasm to take part in other services and activities which further support their wellbeing, thus ensuring they are given the opportunity to enjoy family time together.

ChExChExs courses and activities are advertised through a variety of means and establishments. The main advertising streams are through the schools with the ChExs course booklet and newsletter which is disseminated by the schools to all of the students and their families. As shown below in chart 1 this is the primary means of receiving the course information. A proportion of the participants from school would be via direct referrals from either school staff or the ChExs team who have been able to target parents/carer’s for whom the courses would benefit the most.

September 2011 to August 2012


30

Further analysis of the data showed that raised self-esteem and greater confidence to try other courses are the main outcomes from attending ChExs courses (see chart 2).

Chart 1 Receiving course Information

Chart 2 Course outcomes


31

Family Learning

There is a range of interests that course participants have highlighted as future potential courses they would like to undertake. These are shown below in chart 3. Art and Craft, Cookery and Healthy Eating and Keep Fit all feature highly in the interest of the local community. This data will be used to inform ChExs future courses.

Chart 3 Future course interest Family

Learning


32

Parenting

The evaluations showed that there is an interest in parenting courses in the following categories: with Understanding Children’s Behaviour, Bringing up Confident Children and Conflict Resolution being the most popular. (see Chart 4)

Chart 4 Future course interest Parenting

Support Agencies

Parents/carers/community members have indicated that the support agency they are most interested in receiving support from is Speech and Language Therapy, with Family Support and intensive behavior support featuring highly.

Chart 5 Support Agencies


33

Adult Learning

As chart 7 below shows First Aid, Healthy Cooking and Art and Craft activities have the most interest for the local community.

Chart 7

Children and Young People Extended Learning Opportunities

Via course evaluations parents/carers and community members have indicated that Art and Craft, Dance and drama, music clubs and visits to galleries and museums are of most interest.

Chart 8


34

Childcare

Chart 9 below shows that After School and Holiday clubs are of most interest to parents/carers.

Chart 9

Course Rating

The questionnaire asked users to rate the course they attended either very useful, quite useful or of little use. Chart 10 indicates that the majority of community members/course attendees who completed this question found ChExs courses very/quite useful.

Chart 10


35

Users preferred fee.

Chart 11 indicates that the majority of users are prepared to pay between £2 - £5 per activity/session.

Chart 11


36

Below charts show the host school and which schools the attendee is connected to.


37



38



39



40

The above charts show that the majority of attendees at primary school venues are connected to the school the course is held in, however Children’s Centres and Secondary School courses have attendees from a variety of settings.

ChExs has reached out to a record number of learners from a cross section of the local community. Courses and activities being delivered within all schools affiliated to ChExs provided a holistic support network to all the communities linked to each school benefiting the whole community both within a close proximity to each school, but also further afield from the Broxbourne area! This approach also supports the “Social Value Act”, which looks beyond the price of each individual course/activity and looks at the collective benefit to a community. For example, ChExs Family Fun helps support children’s development and achievement whilst improving family relationships and valuesvalues, helping enable families to spend quality time together! ChExs has continued to stay focused on a needs lead approach to introducing and developing courses and activities to support local community members. Continuing to build on the momentum of previous years and with the information complied in this report ChExs will be able to ensure this continues in the future.

Conclusion

Integrated SupportIntegrated Support

41

Throughout a child/young person’s life there will be up’s and down’s that as parents we all worry about. Usually these are phases that pass by without due concern and we put it down to growing up! Sometimes however the child or young person needs extra support to cope with the difficulties life is throwing at them or to cope with how they feel about themselves and when this happens professionals are on hand to support them. In order to help the professionals identify the extra support for your child or young person a Common Assessment Framework (CAF) can be completed by parents, child/young person and the professional you feel mosmost comfortable with, meaning you are involved in the decisions that affect you and your family. Once the assessment is completed and actions identified, regular Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings are held to ensure that the support offered to your child/young person is supported in the right way and making good progress.

This year ChExs’ staff have supported 71 TAF meetings and 30 CAF’s with everything from writing CAF’s, attending TAF’s to advise schools on voluntary and statutory agencies that can help through to supporting parents and young people through what can be difficult and worrying times.

Further information about the CAF is available at www.hertsdirect.org/caf or give a member of the ChExs team a call.

September 2011- August 2012

BetweeBetween September 2011- August 2012 Children and Young People’s Support Worker has attended Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings at the request of the schools. Support has been given for the administration of the paperwork and also advice and guidance for support services, both voluntary and statutory, available to the children, young people and their families to meet their needs. The support worker has also either met with families alongside the school or with the ChExs Parenting Officer to complete Common Assessment Frameworks (CAF) on behalf of the schools. This service enables the parents to feel at ease in their own home when divulging what can be very sensitive personal informationinformation.

The number of CAF’s and TAF’s undertaken is illustrated in the chart below showing the Key Stage at which the child/young person is in.

The key finding from the above chart show that key stage 3 has the most Common Assessment Frameworks (CAF’s) completed indicating that the children/young people’s needs are more easily met within the smaller primary settings and that once into a secondary setting the network of support needs to be co-ordinated through the Team Around the Families. The chart also shows that young people at key stage 4 are not requiring so much integrated practice intervention indicating that their needs have been met during key stage 3.

Intervention/InclusioIntervention/Inclusion projects are paramount to identified children and young people allowing them time within an alternative setting to learn and explore opportunities that they may otherwise feel they cannot achieve. The variety of projects enable young people to take responsibility for being positive role models to accomplish tasks through dedication, creativity and ownership and developing a sense of belief and belonging to the community. They also help school children to think positively about the community they live in whilst improving their self-reliance and engagement in teamwork raising their confidence and self-esteem allowing them to realise their potential increasing theitheir future employability.

Julie CottendenChildren & Young

People Support Worker

Integrated SupportIntegrated Support

42

The chart below shows the total number of children and young people included within these inclusion projects and the total contact hours.

The findings above show that the number of secondary pupils engaged are significantly less than the primary, this is due to the projects for the older students being more intensive and holding more responsibility than those for the younger pupils. The chart below breaks down the projects further to show how many secondary and primary children/young people were included in each different project. The figures per project represent the number of children/young people engaged per day and the totals are the number engaged during the whole project.

The projects identify groups of disadvantaged or marginalised children and young people who would benefit from taking part in alternative education and emotional wellbeing projects. The projects help build positive relationships within the local community whilst helping children and young people to raise attainment, self-esteem and achievement and building support networks within and between school and home. The young people are identified through being at risk of exclusion from school, have special needs, behavioural problems, or are suffering from emotional and wellbeing problems due to difficulties either at school or home. The projects all focus on improving the young people’s self-esteemself-esteem, confidence and team working skills but they also create opportunities for them to develop their practical skills, highlighting possible pathways to future employment. The five gold rings project and fort building allowed the secondary students to mentor the primary pupils and they were great mentors, taking on the responsibility for being positive role models with the primary pupils responding really well to the leadership and encouragement from the older students. Other projects such as the team building weeks involve week long interventions with high ratios of staff tto students giving these vulnerable young people the chance to step outside of their comfort zone and to experience different activities and environments. This gives them the opportunity to change their attitudes towards their future and gain the confidence to have aspirations and goals that are achievable.

The early intervention process along with the opportunity to engage students in the projects and activities ChExs provides gives a holistic system that can support children and young people at all ages, building self-esteem and confidence but more importantly showing them that there are other avenues where they can stand out and achieve.

Parent SupportParent Support

43

This year ChExs has provided 87 families with parenting support either through them attending one of ChExs parenting workshops or by 1-1 support. ChExs offers 6 parenting workshops throughout the academic year 3 aimed at 2-11 and 3 aimed at 11-19 age group. The workshops offer informal support and strategies to deal with issues that arise including behavior management and anger in the family. Many parents/carers find that the workshops work as a reminder to reinforce the strategies that they may already be using. Workshops are held in venues throughout the ChExs area both during the day and evening to accommodate as many parents/carers as possible.

IIf a workshop is not for you then please contact Kerry ChExs Parent Support Worker who is happy to provide 1-1 support either by phone, email or face to face, 66 families have accessed support via these methods. Parenting support is not just about behaviour strategies, support is available through signposting, attending meetings where required, offering and researching advice, providing referrals to various support agencies, attending CAF/TAF meetings and above all being a listening ear.

Quote: Thank for all your help and support over the last few weeks - it's been a great group....

September 2011- August 2012

BetweeBetween September 2011- August 2012 ChExs Parent Support Worker has been able to offer advice, guidance and parenting support, to 139 local families. The support provided ranges from one to one meetings to discuss issues and find solutions , telephone support, attendance and support during CAF and TAF meetings with either the school or ChExs Children and Young People Support Worker, as well as referrals to partner agencies both statutory and voluntary when required. ChExs also provide and facilitate 6 ChExs parenting workshops per year in addition to referring families to workshops/courses provided by partner agencies.

The chart below shows the number of families supported and the Key Stage at which the child/young person is in. The chart below shows the number of families supported and the Key Stage at which the child/young person is in.

The key findings from the above chart shows that families of children/young people in key stage 2/3 aged between 7 – 14 years have requested the most parental support suggesting that transition from primary to secondary school may be a factor. CAF/TAF support is also featuring highly at Key stage 2/3. Families with children at Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key stage 4 request parenting support however require less support with CAF/TAF’s, this may be due to Children Centre involvement with EYFS. The chart also shows that young people at key stage 4 are requiring less integrated practice intervention indicating that their needs have been met during key stage 3.

Key stage and age range see below table:

Key stageEarly Years Foundation1234

Age range0-5 years5-7 years7-11 years11-14 years16-16 years

School/settingChildren CentrePrimaryPrimarySecondarySecondary

Kerry ThomasChExs Parents Support

Worker

Parent SupportParent Support

44

The chart below shows how many families/parents/carers have been assisted and the type of support they have received. All referrals are with the families consent and offer specific support for their particular need. i.e. Money Advice Unit , Homestart.

The findings conclude that ChExs has supported 75 families between September 2011 – August 2012 by attending 52 CAF/TAF meetings and 175 one to one meetings to provide advice, guidance, support or referrals to other agencies in addition to 280 phone contacts, either verbal or text message. Many of the parents have used the Parent Support Worker as a point of contact away from their educational settings to give a neutral point of view and as someone who can clarify and assist in finding appropriate support for the many worrying aspects of having a child with needs. The high number of telephone contacts is through parents feeling comfortable to ring the parent support worker when they arare in difficulty or when they need emotional support though having a particularly stressing incident. This service has proved to be very effective in building positive relationships through linking all members of the family within the ChExs activities and services giving.

Working in PartnershipWorking in Partnership

45

Broxbourne Council

B3 Living

CVS for Broxbourne & East Herts

Charles Walker MP

Cllr Chris Mitchell

Cllr Dave Hewitt

Cllr Dee Hart Cllr Dee Hart

Cllr Rob Gordon

Howard Wilson Accountants

NHS Hertfordshire

HAFLS

Sainsbury’s Waltham Point Dept

Groundwork Hertfordshire

Aylett’s NurseryAylett’s Nursery

Lee Park Authority

Thank you for your Support

ChExs thanks the following for their particular contributions in 2011-12 (With apologies for anyone we have left out by mistake!)

What they sayWhat they say

46

1. Activities organised support the school in working with parents and families. Christmas craft activity was particularly successful. Organisation of Parent classes are also very supportive.

2. The Partnerships work with other providers e.g. Sainsbury to provide opportunities for pupils is very effective.

3. Gardening project is very popular in school and provides school with the opportunity to work with others in the community.

4. 4. School really value support from the Family School workers, who have up to date knowledge of services available.

5. The newsletters are very informative and keep people in touch with what is available

Susan WilcoxHead Teacher

Dewhurst Primary

B3 Livng owns properties throughout the Borough and is aware of the outstanding service ChExs provides to schools throughout the Waltham Cross and Cheshunt areas. Since setting up they have also built a high profile for themselves in the community by participating in and often organising successful activities and events designed to provide young people with safe places to learn and play, and to bring communities together. BHA has partnered with ChExs on a number of community projects and have always been satisfied with the outcomes.

Peter WalkinshawResident Involvement Manager B3 Living

‘Sometimes you have to work together even if people in your group are not your friends, you still have to work as a team to get the job done’.

Team Building Week

‘To be able to work with people I don’t really like’.Team Building Week

Through ChExs, we have been able to provide our parents/families a plethora of opportunities which otherwise would have been impossible to offer. Through these opportunities we have been able to remove barriers to learning for both parents and children alike. In addition to this, the extensive network of services available to support children, families and the community has been clearly highlighted and promoted, thus enabling various parties to access these as appropriate. ChExsChExs also provide us with a superb vehicle for engagement with the local authority and links with statutory, VCS, other service providers. In addition to this, ChExs effectively facilitate the direct delivery platform and commissioning of services and without their support in this respect we would only have accessed a fraction of what we have done so in recent months.

Tony GortonHeadteacher St

Joseph’s Primary

The benefits ChExs has had for our elderly people would be worth mentioning.The shared project with the students from Turnford helped the elderly to recognise that the teenagers were respectful. Mutual appreciation developed from the interaction. The elderly were delighted to feel valued for their life experiences and how they were of interest to the younger generation. A far more positive veiw of today's youngsters was established.

Sheila FarmerWaltham Cross Senior Citizens Organiser


47

The CVS for Broxbourne and East Herts has developed a close working relationship with ChExs over the past few years which has culminated in the appointment of the ChExs Director as a Trustee of CVSBEH. We (CVSBEH) have benefitted from the the impact that ChExs deliver in a number of ways, these include:

Increasing our local knowledge – particularly in terms of access to learning providers and young people’s services in the Borough of Broxbourne.

Helping CVSBEH to link local funding agencies and grantmaking trusts with schools who can encourage community projects. E.G Linking the Discover Project in East London with Holdbrook Primary School (funded through the Rowlandson Foundation)

Assisting CVSBEH with governance development and community activities for new residents groups and associations E.G the launch of the Bury Green Residents Association.

Enhancing CVSBEH’s knowledge of local Black and Minority Ethnic Communities through facilitating new contacts within local schools to aid CVSBEH’s development of new community champions from different backgrounds – E.G Turkish Community in Waltham Cross and Health awareness sessions for BME Residents.

Ian RichardsonChief Officer

CVS for Broxbourne and East Herts

As the County Councillor representing Cheshunt North and Cheshunt Central for the last 7 years, and a governor of both a secondary school and a children's centre I consider the services & engagement which ChExs provides to the community as a whole is extremely valuable. I have been able to observe firsthand how incentives such as the "Friday Night Project" (designed to engage with youths who might otherwise be wandering the streets by offering positive and interesting activities) is making a real difference in my area. I have been directly involved with several of their other activities and even help in the funding of some, using part of my County Councillor's Locality BudgeBudget to great effect, which benefits the neighbourhood. I have also found that ChExs is prepared to be innovative and can often think outside the box to come up with deliverable and sustainable options.

Since its formation as a charity, ChExs has worked hard to offer opportunities for students, parents and the local community by delivering diverse courses and projects which have been well received. Their outreach continues to grow by removing barriers to learning for people who might not otherwise be engaged in them. Use of the ChExs transport facilities is also crucial in providing these services equitably in the district.

PersonallyPersonally ChExs has given me the chance to work even closer with local residents, partners and other charitable organizations to understand the needs, requirements and ambitions of the people I serve. This network is now very important for me in my role of delivering the localism agenda in my area.

Dave HewittVicVice Chairman of

Hertfordshire County Council / County Councillor for

Cheshunt Central and Cheshunt North

CHEXS engages with a wide range of providers looking at all the courses that are available in the area (extremely comprehensive list). Chexs certainly seems to be extremely pro-active.

Irene AustinHAFLS Family Learning Senior

Development Officer

‘It makes me have confidence in me’.Team Building Week

“The Art & Craft is a great way to spend time with my daughter and we really enjoy being and making things together”

Parent


48

ChExs has quickly become an invaluable part of our extended provision, particularly in working with our more vulnerable students. I was hugely excited about the potential impact for students that ChExs offers when I first heard about it. Now that I have seen it in action, and seen the huge student enthusiasm, commitment and subsequent development in self belief, I am even more convinced. The staff at ChExs are without exception passionate about improving life chances for students, and readily transmit that passion to others. ChExs is now an integral and highly valued part of what we offer and I would not want to be without it.

Alison GarnerHeadteacherGoff’s School

Removing barriers to learningLocal venues. Concessions/free classes for qualify individuals/groups. Network of services to support children, families and communityInformation Advice and Guidance, Student Support Services for financial and personal support.

Vehicle for engagement with the local authorityCommunitCommunity Learning Organiser on Adult Learning Partnerships with Brox Borough Council and Herts Adult & Family Learning Partnerships (County)

Links with statutory, VCS, other service providersWide range of working partnerships to deliver learning/training. Eg Housing Associations, Children Centres, Extended Services, Schools etc

Direct delivery platform and commissioning of services Advertised programme and partnership delivery

Jane FarishAdult Education

Organiser Hertford Regional College

The courses and activities Pete Maiden has organised and run by the partnership are well attended and the feedback from parents is very positive. Both of the Support Worker roles have been invaluable to the school both in support of the CAF process and also in support of families signposting and providing direct help.

Sarah ChalonerHeadteacher

Holy Trinity Primary School

“I have really enjoyed working with a mixture of age groups during the course”

“Really enjoyed the course it has really helped my children and I am so proud have achieved level 2 in Math’s”

“When I started the course my little boy was two weeks old but the flexibility with childcare with the course has helped me remain on the course and help me improve my maths.”

“The crèche has really helped me take part in the course and remain with it throughout.”

Course AttendeesMaths & English


49

Cheshunt School is very grateful for all the hard work and support that we have received from ChExs. Over the past year some of the areas that we have worked cooperatively in are:

Parental support from Kerry Thomas in particular regarding pupils who display challenging behaviour, need support or are at risk of exclusion.

Julie Cottenden has supported pupils who are on CaF’s and TaF’s. Julie has been present at meetings where parents, outside agencies and the pupil are present to discuss the best way to approach addressing the needs of the pupil.

to be invaluable regarding obtaining support for the pupils and their families.

Representatives from ChExs attend our parents evenings and the annual Open Evening. This is a very effective strategy for creating links between the school and home and often is instrumental in breaking down barriers and so allowing hard to reach families to feel more confident when dealing with the school.

A number of projects, Gardening Club, Groundworks and the Team Building Week, have been very successful in engaging disaffected and potential NEET pupils. The feeling of achievement and greater self confidence that the projects develop in the pupils allows them to identify the need for qualifications at the end of their time in secondary school.

Finally, the ChExs team are always accessible. Should advice or support be required, they are always at the end of the telephone and never fail to support in any way possible. This is something that we in Cheshunt School very much appreciate.

Gerry LanganAssistant Head

Teacher Cheshunt School

Valuable link to services that support young people and their parents/carers. Conscientious staff keeping school up to date with extended services opportunities and activities. Also making school aware of opportunities through TAC meetings.

Jill JonesHeadteacher Four Swannes Primary

School

The Charity has provided our young people with a huge number of opportunities to work with local employers in whole variety of ways, that we would never have been able to access as a stand- alone school. The Charity also provides the link to a range of support services available in the local area to help our students and their families. The TAC support is outstanding.

Jo GantHeadteacher/Chair Turnford School

"Clear, concise instruction"

"I felt completely accepted and understood in what I needed to learn"

"My level of skills was very low when starting and I am gaining more confidence and knowledge than expected. I am pleased with the experience"

"Very good and patient teacher!"

"I thought the course was wonderful"

"W"We all use computers for various aspects of work but non one has bothered to help people of my age who used an abacus at school!"

"Found a use for computers at home as well as work - left us with a great sense of achievement"

Course AttendeesComputer Course


50

Removing barriers to learningChExChExs have worked in partnership with School Nursing Service to help meet the needs of children with identified developmental concerns and vulnerabilities through the provision of educational activities for children and their parents. This service has been key to raising self-esteem, improving relationships between children and their parents, enabling children to find alternative skills and methods of learning, providing opportunities for deprived children, therefore breaking down the key barriers to self-fulfilment and learning which impact on psychosocial health and wellbeing. ChExChExs have recently funded a community project for vulnerable year 9 students to address the incidence of unwanted teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and relationship issues. Partnership working with the School Nursing Service to deliver this project enhanced young people’s ability to seek advice from health care professionals, and created an alternativeCHE gate way for the School Nursing Service to reach vulnerable young people and their peers with key specialist health information.

Vehicle for engagement with the local authoritySchooSchool Nursing Service have been able to sign post families to parenting and support services which has resulted in a positive impact on the emotional health of children. Giving parents the tools they need to exercise effective parenting skills, receive support with home management, housing and financial difficulties enables them then to focus on the key health issues of their children and meet unmet health needs. ChExChExs have worked in partnership with The School Nursing Service in setting up CAFS for complex families, joint home visiting, follow up support and information sharing. ChExs have also worked in partnership with the School Nursing Services to support parents to access health appointments for their children particularly those which are emotionally challenging for them such as CAMHS and Child Development Centre. ChExChExs have worked in partnership with the School Nursing Service by sharing key information within the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Board guidelines to safeguard children with unmet health needs and to provide support to vulnerable children and families who have been victims of domestic violence.

Links with statutory, VCS, other service providersCommunication is maintained through newsletter updates, regular emails.NetworNetwork meetings with Children Centre Advisory Boards and the 13-19 sub group committee for Broxbourne have enhanced information sharing and service development. Active contribution to the Broxbourne children and young people’s service plan has ensured that ChExs is able to enhance the services delivered by its partners, promote networking and close the gaps in a community which has statistically evidenced health needs caused by deprivation.

Direct delivery platform and commissioning of services ChExChExs effectively commissions services for the schools across the local area to meet the social and educational needs in the local community. Through effective partnership working with the School Nursing Service which is commissioned to provide a health service for the same school community by Hertfordshire NHS trust, ChExs is able to ensure that the health needs of the community is also considered in the delivery of its activities and community development. This enables the ChExs service to be targeted to meet the key needs of the school community regarding community health, education, deprivation, and cultural diversity as holistic entities in influencing the five healthy outcomeoutcomes of children.

Sally LydamoreTeam Leader :Health

Visitor / School Nursing ,Waltham

Cross and Cheshunt)

‘Student X was so proud. He came and saw me as soon as he got in yesterday. I couldn’t stop smiling with him. He was still really bubbly from it and was telling me how much he enjoyed the water skiing. Walking was a bit tough but given the opportunity again he said he would definitely go. This is what it’s all about, seeing someone shine and Student X was certainly doing that yesterday. Big thanks to all of you.’

Cathy Walsh, Student

Support Manager Cheshunt Secondary

School

‘It makes me have confidence in me’Student X


51

ChExs has a very good relationship with Burleigh Primary School. They provide services which it would be otherwise difficult to access.

Through their charity we have been able to offer services to parents at school to: enable them to be trained in helping their children with maths and English: train as volunteers in school: enjoy craft activities for parent and child and hence, promote family bonding .

ChExChExs has enabled the school to promote economic awareness by facilitating visits to Sainsbury’s depots. They also arranged safety visits to the school by Sainsbury’s lorries. ChExs even helped with transport to and from these events.

TeamTeam building activities involving other members of the local community have also been facilitated by ChExs. For example, a child’s fort is being constructed in the grounds this summer using Groundwork [adult supervisory group], some local secondary pupils and pupils from Burleigh. ChExs also coordinates the ‘Gardening Club’ using expertise from local garden center’s and culminating in a Farmers Market at a local park in late summer.

All in all, ChExs offers good value for money and allows our school to access enhanced activities which would otherwise be difficult to source.

Gary VirtueHeadteacher


‘I can control myself more because people on my team annoy me but I just ignored it’.Team Building Week

‘It will help me remember things in my school bag’.Team Building Week

Removing barriers to learningThe HAFLS course held last year for families with English as a second language was well received and enabled parents to begin to listen to and encourage their children with “reading at home”. The course lasted a term, but the benefits will be life long for those families. Not only did the children receive the support from their mums, but the mums themselves improved their understanding of English and were more confident in communicating with the school.ThThe school was very grateful to Peter for his successful negotiation with a charity to support year 2 pupils and their parents in a fantastic creative reading and writing course offered by “Discovery”. Not only did the children become published authors, but parents and children alike were able to delight in a great, collaborative success story (personal progress and SATs). All of these activities help the learning partnership between home and school to develop for the benefit of the community as a whole.

Network of services to support children, families and communityThThe family support service has helped a number of our families access the services they need to improve their life skills and child care skills.The support with the completing of a CAF has been invaluable with parents feeling well served in the support of their child/family needs.

Vehicle for engagement with the local authorityOuOur Community Day has become an incredible vehicle for signposting local services and generally bringing the estate community together for a fun time with neighbours, teachers, police, and other public services. It grows annually!The growing club competition has had a similar impact with a focus on Healthy Living as well as community spirit.

Links with statutory, VCS, other service providersThe whole team provide essential links with other service providersDirect delivery platform and commissioning of servicesDirect delivery platform and commissioning of servicesChExs effectively commissions activities and services for our school and in the local area, and communications are open, clear and comprehensive.Thank you Pete, Kerry, Julie and the rest of the team for a truly successful academic year 2011 2012

Karen ScudamoreHeadteacher

Holdbrook Primary School


52

Here at B3living we have always strived to be more than just a landlord, as a locally based not for profit organisation improving our communities and creating opportunities for those who live in them has been a value that all staff exercise within their roles. We have a wide consortium of partners that without them our success would not be what it is today.

Our relationship with Cheshunt Extended Services (CHEXS) has grown considerably over the last 2 years as has our positive impact within the community, needless to say CHEXS has opened up many of these opportunities for success.

MorMore specifically, we have found CHEXS a proactive partner when identifying and removing barriers to learning by helping us target the right area geographically and the right individuals who with that extra attention and support have found they can re-engaging with the learning process, no matter of age or social standing. A number of projects that we have worked on together saw young residents who had been excluded from the classroom engage with a learning routine which ultimately prepared them for the mainstream classroom.

WWe have a strong belief that investing in children and their families can create more positive outcomes for their future, as a housing provider eliminating risks to homelessness is a priority and the earlier the intervention the better, CHEXS offers us a gate way of trust when engaging with families.

ThThe Borough of Broxbourne in general is a very successful area in relation to proactive partnerships and CHEXS has now established itself as a key member of this wider family, for example our recent success in securing £1million “big Local” lottery grant for the Wormley Turnford area where CHEXS has been identified as a key service who should be involved, this was a decision not just decided by ourselves but those residents who live in the community.

WWe have worked on a number of projects with CHEXS some in full partnership some where we have asked CHEXS to deliver the service directly, this has always been done with the highest of standard we are exploring further projects for CHEXS to deliver on behalf of our organisation.

Our relationship with CHEXS is one that we want to continue to develop and we are at a point now where we are discussing core funding so that they can continue to deliver a quality service.

Brian CookeB3Living, Community Development Manager

Vehicle for engagement with the local authorityChExs are key and active partners in the Broxbourne Children’s Trust Partnership (BCTP), attending all of the partnership meetings including the two subgroups 0-13 and 11-19; the former of which is chaired by staff from ChExs. ChExs contribute to the BCTP Action Plan and actively and constructively engage in the meetings. Links with statutory, VCS, other service providersLinks with statutory, VCS, other service providersBroxbourne Council’s Community Development Team works with ChExs to deliver the yearly Veg Fest event at Cedars Park in Waltham Cross. This combines the prize-giving finale of the primary, secondary schools’ growing clubs, delivered by ChExs, with one of the council’s children’s play event. Attendances usually exceed 1,000 with an estimated 2,000 attending this year’s event. Fun is had by everyone attending as both agencies work hard and creatively to put on a range of fun and healthy activities.

Steve WhitlamCommunity

Development Manager Broxbourne Borough

Council

“The course was excellent. It extended and reinforced topics covered especially child protection and maths. I would strongly recommend the course”.

Course AttendeesVolunteers in Schools

‘It will help me communicate more when I’m involved in team activities’.Team Building Week


53

Firstly can I say what a great support CHEXs has been over the last term. The help with parents and CAFs has enabled us to reach some of our usually hard to reach parents and we are beginning to see the development of some partnerships with these parents that I would not have considered possible.ThThe inclusion fort building activity was a hugely positive opportunity for some of our harder to engage pupils. It was great to see the girls who are often reluctant to contribute to projects and activities really stuck in and immensely proud of the finished product which is now being enjoyed by the whole school community.WhilsWhilst some of our HAFLs activities have been poorly attended, the ChExs craft ones have given us a platform to build on. Reaching and engaging parents is a key priority in this year's development plan for us, all these opportunities are helping us to help our parents understand the value of their input in their child's learning.Grow club opportunities have really blossomed for us. The whole school got behind the growing competition and learnt lots about conditions for growth and the need to care and nurture. This has now lead to Y5 working on a sustainability project and developing the school kitchen gardenFinallFinally the clarity of the newsletter and the termly coffee mornings, help us and our families to see all that's on offer enables us all to feel part of a wider community of learners and families.

Sam SweetmanHeadteacher

Churchfield Primary School

‘More of an understanding with rules, better communication and co-operation’Team Building Week

Removing barriers to learningIt has been encouraging to see parents and children engaging in learning activities in school through the courses HALFS has provided. This work is beginning to enable us to develop closer links with our normally ‘hard to reach parents’ to better support the learning process.

Network of services to support children, families and communityThThe family support service has begun to help our families access key services to support them. Julie and Kerry have supported with setting up one CAF which has proved a successful process for supporting a family with wide ranging needs.

Lee-Ann BrittanHeadteacher

Longlands Primary School

chexs annual report 2012

Documents

established chexs charity

sustainable charity

registered charity

new charity

chexs integrated support

chexs parent support

charity status work

continued support