workingneighbourhoodfund supportingparentsintowork… · issue21|january2010...

Issue 21 | January 2010 For staff in schools and early years settings

ParentsMatter

02 Supporting Parents into Work03 School/Setting Activity05 Secondary School Transition06 Family Learning08 Find Your Talent09 Parenting10 Community News12 Training Programme

Working Neighbourhood FundSupporting Parents into WorkThe Parental Engagement team has been deliveringa number of employment focused programmes inschools and settings around the borough. Courseshave been developed to support parents intofurther learning, training and employment.

Early in December, the Passport to Learningprogramme held another ‘Back to Work Event’ atthe Parents Centre, Spelman Street. These eventsaim to support local parents and residents intoemployment and training. The latest eventwelcomed 45 parents, 5 staff members and anumber of local residents who gained informationand advice on training and employmentopportunities. 13 local schools were representedby parents at the event.

Course information from the Idea Stores and TowerHamlets College was available, as well asinformation about childcare and childminding inthe borough. Advice workers from Citizen AdviceBureaux (CAB) and the Volunteer Centre TowerHamlets were present to give 1-1 advice andinformation about benefits and volunteeringopportunities available locally.

A job preparation workshop also took placethroughout the morning where parents soughtadvice and practised completing application formsand compiling CVs.

“ This workshop has been so helpful forme - I feel more confident about my CVnow and know what it should look like”(Parent from Virginia Primary School)

Many schools around Tower Hamlets arecelebrating supporting parents back to work thisacademic year. Bigland Green and St JohnsPrimary schools are very proud about theemploymentof some oftheir parentsas a directresult ofengagementwith differentprogrammesin school.

Issue 21 | January 2010

2 Parents Matter Newsletter

Supporting Parents into Work

Passport to Learning atSt Johns

In the Summer Term 2009, at St John’s PrimarySchool, a very successful Passport to Learning‘Volunteering in Your Child’s School’ course wasdelivered for parents. This term, the schoolhave just heard that two of the participants havegained full-time work as Teaching Assistants inschools. Both parents progressed from theVolunteering course to a Teaching Assistantcourse in September and received job offersbefore the end of the term. Congratulations toboth Gemma Hanmore and Karen Bowers!

Alison TicherParental Involvement OfficerSt John’s Primary SchoolLAP 1

Bigland GreenPrimary School

At Bigland Green Primary School,four parents have been successful infinding paid employment during theAutumn term. Feruja Mannan isnow working as a Parent SupportPartner at Shapla and St Paul’sPrimary Schools; Shopna Begum asan Assistant Parent Support Partnerat Bigland Green; Rajna Begum as aMidday Meals Supervisor at BiglandGreen and Helena Begum as aMidday Meals Supervisor at SmithyStreet Primary. All four parentsstarted by attending a range ofparent workshops at Bigland Greenand have now developed theconfidence to apply for and startnew jobs. We hope that their storiesinspire other parents to do thesame.

Shahida BhuiyaParent Liaison WorkerBigland Green Primary SchoolLAP 4

Helena BegumFeruja Mannan

Recruiting Assistant ParentSupport Partners (APSPs)

Funding is available to reimburse schools thatwish to recruit a new member of staff to workwith parents part-time.

The programme aims to build upon the Passportto Learning programme and support parentsand carers take steps towards employment. Theperson recruited:

• should be employed for 15 hours or less perweek

• should be unemployed at the point ofrecruitment

A model job description for an Assistant ParentSupport Partner and central support is available.For further information and an application formplease contact Sharon [email protected] 7364 0948

Coming to the group helped merealise my own skills and gaveme the confidence to apply for ajob in school.Shopna Begum

The groupbrought me out of myhouse and into a job atBigland Green.Razna Begum

Razna Begum

Shopna Begum

3Parents Matter Newsletter


Fabric Printingat St Paul’s Way

Parents/carers at St Paul’s WayCommunity School and ladiesfrom the local community havebeen working together in somefantastic fabric printing workshops.The ladies had the opportunity to create drawings,cut the drawings out to make card stencils andfinally use the stencil to print onto fabric. Someladies used their prints to make cushion covers,duvet covers and bags. The workshops were led byBhajan Hunjan from Bow Arts and HumayraKhanom from St Paul’s way Community School.

Humayra KhanomParental Engagement OfficerSt Paul’s Way Community SchoolLAP 6

Schools get Fishyat Billingsgate!

BygrovePrimary

Nine parentsfrom BygrovePrimaryschool have recently completed a twoday food and hygiene course atBillingsgate Fish Market. Theylearned how to gut and prepare fish,cook recipes for shared lunches andentered the hygiene exam. Theparents who took part really enjoyedthe course and have encouragedother parents to do the course inFebruary.

Sharon GibbsSchool Home Support WorkerBygrove Primary SchoolLAP 7

HarbingerPrimary

On Wednesday11th November,a group ofparents andchildren fromHarbinger Primary School attendedan after school cookery club atBillingsgate Seafood Training school.The session from 4.00-6.00pm wasgreat fun. Six dads and nine childrentook part and learned how to prepareand cook three fish based dishes thentook them home for supper.

Fun for Parents atMayflower Primary

In November, Mayflower held afun taster morning for parentswhere they could sample arange of different activities thatwill be made available to themin future at the school. The hallwas set up with tables for glasspainting, puppet making, mathsgames and tile mosaics. Parentscould spend time trying out thedifferent activities, sampling the refreshments andgetting to know each other better. There was evena raffle drawn at the end, where the winning parentsreceived Somerfield vouchers.

The event was greatly enjoyed by all and hopes tobe followed by many other activities for parents atthe school.

Somi NessaParent Support PartnerMayflower Primary School(part of the Parent Support Partner pilot project)LAP 7

School/SettingActivity

The Seafood Training school offers aprogramme of classes to schools as wellas courses for parents.For information check the websitewww.seafoodtraining.org

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Parents Matter Newsletter

Parents getInvolvedat Globe

Mr Big

Globe Primary Schoolinvited all receptionparents into school tojoin in the Booktimeproject with the book‘Mr Big’. Parents had a fantastic time as theylistened to the story and then went off to differentareas in the hall to try out activities on offer. Therewas a big and little writing table (using big pens andmagnifying glasses), lots of books with the librarianLucy, and what parents and children enjoyed themost: making musical instruments from junk!Lots of parents attended and each child receivedtheir new Booktime bag and book to take home andread.

Silk Painting

The Parents’ group at Globe have recently enjoyedsix weeks of silk painting together. This was afantastic course with more than 20 parentsattending. Each week the parents learned new skillsand their completed pieces of work were of a veryhigh standard. Some of the parents embroideredonto their work using beads to create some beautifuleffects and this is now on show in our parents’room. Everyone who attended received a certificateand enjoyed a party on the last day.

Gill RuskinFamily Support WorkerGlobe Primary SchoolLAP 1

“ what an absolutely fun and enjoyable course -can we have it again please?”(Parent)

Eid Celebrations atMulberry School

Mulberry School had it’s very firstCommunity Eid Party on Wednesday2nd December 2009 which was agreat success. Even though it wasraining, more than 140 familymembers and school staff joined in.The face painter kept the youngstershappily entertained with delightfuldesigns; whilst Jahanara Begumkept us all enthralled with herbeautiful singing. One mother, SahraIbrahim, and two Year 11 pupils,Afshana Khatun and Rujina Yasmin,shared their experiences and viewsabout what Eid means to them. Thefamilies enjoyed delicious food andfun was had by all.

Penny ConstantinouCommunity Learning CoordinatorMulberry Girls SchoolLAP 4



Secondary School Transition

Starting SecondarySchool

Parents of children in year 7 at St Paul’sWay Community School attended atransition course during November 2009.The parents found out aboutcommunication between home andschool, picked up tips on supportingtheir child’s learning and met the HeadTeacher and Head of year 7. Two extrasessions were also added to give parentsa “taster” of Strengthening Families,Strengthening Communities (SFSC)parenting programme. Parents have nowsigned up to begin the 13 week SFSCcourse in January and are lookingforward to working together again.

If you would like to know more aboutthe transition course in secondaryschools or the support available todeliver this, please contact SharonSullivan, Parental Engagement [email protected] 020 7364 0948

“ I have understood that involvement andshowing an interest in my daughter’sschool work will really help herachievement”(Parent)

Transition Courses

Transition Courses have also taken place atOaklands and Swanlea during the Autumnterm, and feedback from parents and staff hasbeen very good.

“ The transition course and support from LBTH hasmade a significant and noticeable impact on thesmoothness of our key stage 2 - 3 transfer forstaff, students and parents… The need for suchwork is clear, with parents turning up in theirhundreds for some of the sessions!”(Kabir Miah – Assistant Head, SwanleaSecondary School)

“ The transition course was very interesting. I nowfeel more confident about approaching theschool with any questions and know more aboutthe school system”(Year 7 parent, Oaklands Secondary School)

Raines FoundationYear 9 Option

Parents of Year 9 children at Raines FoundationUpper School worked with teachers on a Year 9‘Options’ initiative. This comprised of threeafter school information sessions for parents tofind out about Options and meet key staff whowould be supporting their children.

“ The Options Initiative was a really positiveplatform for parents to gain a betterunderstanding of this process and alsocontribute to ways in which parents and Rainescan move forward together. As a result, we arehoping to improve communication, establish anopen forum for parents and to plan for a possibleYear 9 social event in 2010.”(Kate Ayling, Year 9 Head,Raines Foundation School) LAP 1



Family Learning

Gospel Choirat St John’s

On Tuesday 20th October, 54parents, children and staffgathered in the hall at StJohn’s School for a GospelChoir workshop. For an hourand a half they were guidedthrough story and song, on ajourney from slavery tomodern times, evokinglaughter, tears and a truecommunal spirit.

The workshop was run byBritish Gospel Arts, fundedby the borough through theFamily Learning Festival andwas part of our Black HistoryWeek activities.

Alison TicherParental InvolvementCoordinatorSt John’s Primary SchoolLAP 1

“ It was one of the best things theschool has ever done”(Participant)

Rich Mix for Families at Bonner

In the Autumn term, a group of mums and children had anopportunity to attend the rich mix event one Saturday.They arrived at Rich Mix for a musical concert which waspresented by the Rich Mix Grand Orchestra Union. Theyplayed music from around the world and a variety ofinstruments and rhythms were displayed. Everyone gotinvolved in learning about the instruments and had anopportunity to take part in a musical workshop session.This was fantastic! Some parents had never visited theRich Mix before. It was a new experience and they wouldnow go back with their children.

Rehana Anisha (Parent)Bonner Primary SchoolLAP 1

Family Learning atSt Paul’s

For Family Learning Festival inthe Autumn Term, St PaulsPrimary School had anaction packed day filledwith fun activities forfamilies to learn together.The hall was taken overby families trying outbookmaking, felt making,planting, arts and crafts,and interactivestorytelling. Mums anddads joined in with theirchildren and had some great things to take home at theend. The children displayed some of the things they hadmade at a special assembly at the end of the week.

Feruja MannanParent Support PartnerEvet ChesterLearning MentorSt Pauls SchoolLAP 4



Family LanternParade

Parents and children fromBigland Green, Mulberry Schoolfor Girls, St Paul’s Whitechapeland Shapla celebrated the end ofFamily Learning month with aspectacular lantern processionaround Shadwell, complete witha live band and fireworks!

Families across the Shadwell &St Katherine Collaborativeattended workshops together todesign and make their ownlanterns. At the end of the week,the lanterns were rigged withlighting so the families couldparade in the dark from MulberrySchool to Swedenborg Gardens.They were accompanied by theCrocodile Style street band andpyrotechnic performers. Theparade finished in the park with aHuman Catherine Wheel! Theworkshops, parade and fireworkswere organised by EmergencyExit Arts and the project wasfunded by Excellence in Cities.

Anna BurtShapla Primary School(part of the Parent SupportPartner pilot project)Shadwell & St KatherineCollaborativeLAP 4

Food 4 Thought -Parent and Child Engagement

Food 4 Thought Study Support works to raise academicand personal development for 11-16 year olds. As partof the Family Learning Festival at the London MuslimCentre, we organised a successful parent and childengagement seminar. Families were given anopportunity to build their relationships throughdiscussing issues that concerned them; for example,mothers raising teenagers; problems defining teenageidentity and what makes an 'ideal' family.

Feedback received from all participants was extremelypositive and families suggested that more seminarsshould be held in the future. All students felt a specialcloseness with their parents as barriers between themhad been broken down!

Subita BegumWorkshop coordinatorLondon Muslim Centre

Parents' Forum Fun Day!

The Tower Hamlets Parents'Forum for children withdisabilities held a successfulfun day for children and youngpeople, on 14th November atthe Parents Advice Centre. Theday was filled with a range offantastic family activities andadvice and guidance forparents.

The Parents' Forum receives itsfunding from the Aiming High

for Disabled Children Parent Participation Grant and ismade up of parents and carers of children withadditional needs from birth to 19, along withorganisations and support groups working with parents.They are currently planning further events for 2010.

If you are a parent of a child with a disability oradditional needs and would like to join the Forum, or aprofessional wanting more information about how youcan get involved, please contact John [email protected]



Phoenix Gets Out and About

Phoenix is an all age (3-19) school for children with autism.19 parents and 20 children at the school are part of theFind Your Talent Out and About Club. In the Autumn term,they used their Oyster cards and travelled to Rich Mix, forthe first time, to see a film and take part in a workshop.Usually the group meet first at school and travel to thevenue together, but this time everybody felt confidentenough to make their own way there.

The workshop at Rich Mix was run by a famousBangladeshi poet/storyteller and involved storytelling,singing, dancing and making Eid cards. Families also hadthe opportunity to find out about the ‘Family Offer’ thatRich Mix have and many said that they would like to goback there in the future. They now have plans to visit theBarbican Film Festival and Discover Centre, Stratford in thefuture.

Priti ChandraHome School Liaison OfficerPhoenixLAP 6

Grand UnionOrchestraInvites Families toJoin a World ofMusic

Do you know anyone who hasan interest in music fromdifferent cultures, plays aninstrument or sings traditionalsongs? Or perhaps you knowa young musician who wantsto try something new?

Grand Union Orchestra hasbeen bringing together someof the best musicians frommusical cultures all over theworld to create stunningoriginal music for over 25years. Based in the heart ofEast London, Grand Unionruns a wide range ofworkshops and participatoryactivities for various ages andabilities. A Youth Orchestra(GUYO) also runs for 14-25year olds who play instrumentsof all types. The plan, for thefuture, is to form an EastLondon World Choir, bringingtogether all ages and types ofsingers from East Londoncommunities to share songs.

If you know a family who areinterested in taking part in thisoffer, please contact HannahTurner at Grand UnionOrchestra on 020 7375 1122,[email protected]

www.grandunion.org.ukwww.grandunionyouth.org.uk

St Luke’s day out at theTower of London

As part of the Find Your Talent Out and About Group, 9parents and 14 children from St Luke’s Primary School, alltook part in an outing to the Tower of London, supportedby staff from the school. At the Tower, the children hadgreat fun listening to stories, dressing up in Tudorcostumes, badge making, portrait painting and muchmore. Everyone enjoyed the trip, especially seeing theCrown Jewels. After lunch, everyone sat in the sunshinewatching the Court Jesters entertain the crowds. Some ofthe St Luke’s children joined in the drama sketches,dressing up and pretending to be characters from Tudortimes.

Christine CollinsCommunity Cohesion CoordinatorSt Luke’s SchoolLAP 8

Find Your Talent

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ParentingSFSC at OldPalace

The StrengtheningFamilies StrengtheningCommunities (SFSC)course at Old PalacePrimary school has been a huge success.16 parents have been registered on thecourse and more parents are on the waitinglist. Although parents on this course hadyears of practical parenting experience,they found that this opportunity enhancedtheir knowledge of parenting techniques,and better enabled them to support theirchildren. The course made a significantdifference to parents and their family lives.

Old Palace Primary School(part of the Parent Support Partner pilotproject)LAP 6

“ The course has enriched me with practicaland realistic ways of strengthening my bondwith my daughter…I have learned manyimportant things and am more aware of whatI say, how I say it and how my attitude affectsthose around me, both at home and in mycommunity”(Parent)

Strengthening PrisonerFamilies

Coram Strengthening Prisoners’ Families Project,in conjunction with the Family Intervention Team,is offering the Strengthening FamiliesStrengthening Communities programme toprisoners’ families in Tower Hamlets.

This programme helps support prisoners'families with the challenges they face daily; fromvisiting difficulties that impact on family contact,to understanding their children's needs andemotions during the period of separation.

The Strengthening Families programme will startin January 2010 and will be held at the FamilyIntervention Project, Greatorex Street (next to theCitizen's Advice Bureau), London E1 5NP.

We welcome attendance from all adults living inTower Hamlets; Greenwich; Hackney; Newhamor Waltham Forest, who care for a child who hasa parent or carer in prison.

The course is free and the FIP catering group willprovide lunch.

Please inform any parents / carers who may beinterested in this opportunity. For moreinformation, please contact the coursefacilitators Shahida Haque on0207 364 7810, [email protected] Shirin Ullah on 020 7364 7812,[email protected]

Research for StrengtheningFamilies StrengtheningCommunities

For some time, it has been felt that the SFSCprogramme in Tower Hamlets has needed a moredetailed qualitative evaluation to find out fromparents what they felt about the course and howit has benefited themselves and their families.Although the course has its own pre and post-questionnaire, the Parenting team wanted to see

how much of the information gained from thecourse still showed a positive effect at least 6months later. A research proposal was submittedto the Tower Hamlets Children School andFamilies Research Forum and, after carefulconsideration, was approved. A sample of about20 families will be interviewed, some individuallyand some in focus groups. The first interviewswill start in January 2010, aiming to finish byMarch.

For any further information, contact MaheraRuby on [email protected]



Community NewsParent Booster Project

The Isle of Dogs Children’s Centre has been running aParent Booster Project which aims to strengthen familiesand create learning opportunities.

Ayesha KhanFamily Support WorkerIsle of Dogs Children CentreLAP 8

“ It made me think and be more aware of my behaviour aroundmy children, and the effect it can have on them…”(Debbie Cushway, Parent Volunteer)

“ The project is a success due to positive partnerships betweenparents, schools and the Isle of Dogs Children’s Centre. Iwould like to thank Seven Mills, Harbinger, Cubbit Town, StLuke’s and Arnhem Wharf primary schools for theirwillingness to work with me in making this course, a hugesuccess.”(Ayesha Khan, Family Support Worker)

ChildDevelopmentGrant

As part of the Child Povertyinitiative, Tower Hamlets wassuccessfully chosen by theDCSF as one of ten localauthorities to see if financialreward makes families engagein Children’s Centre services.Participating carers will agreeto undertake a four weekprogramme of centre activitiesand receive £50 on completion.Carers undertaking a furthertwelve week programme ofactivities will receive paymenttotaling £200 each. Allprogrammes of activity will bechallenging and tailored to theneeds of the individualparticipant and aim to improveoutcomes for their children. Allparticipants must have a childaged under 3 years, have a lowincome and have not engagedin services recently to anyappreciable extent.

The programme hopes toengage with families notaccessing services and alsoincrease involvement of morehard to reach, vulnerablefamilies, with a detailed 16week support plan.

The Pilot has been rolling outon a staggered cluster basisfrom September 2009 and willend on 31 March 2011.Montefiore Children’s Centrehas been piloting theprogramme and 8 carers havealready progressed to the 12week programme. Pleaseencourage parents to contacttheir local Children's Centre, tofind out more information.

Tony ParkerChild Development GrantProject Manager

Parent CoffeeMorning at Chisenhale Gallery

Chisenhale Gallery is one of London’s most innovativegalleries for contemporary visual art. The Gallery isdedicated to increasing access to the visual arts through itsartist-led, community and schools education programme.

For each exhibition at the gallery, local parents are invitedto a special preview and a parents’ coffee morning. Withcakes generously provided by the East End Woman’sInstitute, the coffee morning provides an opportunity forlocal parents to view the gallery and learn how they andtheir families can be involved.

The next Parents’ Coffee Morning is on Tuesday 23rdFebruary, 9.00-10.30am.

Laura WilsonEducation Organiser, Chisenhale [email protected]

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Family Information Service

The Family Information Service (FIS) provideinformation on any service for local people frombirth - 19 (or 25 years for young people withadditional needs) including helping localparents and carers find high quality childcare,advice on tax credits and childcare vouchers.

Staff at the FIS have information on all servicesfor children, young people and families in theborough and offer advice completely free ofcharge. The telephone number remains thesame and residents can still call in for one-to-one advice if they wish.

The Family Information Service can becontacted on 020 7364 6495 between 8.00amand 6.00pm, Monday - Friday or by email [email protected]

Websites

The Seafood training school offers aprogramme of classes to schools as well ascourses for parentswww.seafoodtraining.org

The Grand Union Orchestra is looking forpeople to join their East London World Choirwww.grandunion.org.uk

Rich Mix is London's up-and-coming cross-artscentre located in the vibrant area ofShoreditch/East Londonwww.richmix.org.uk

Discover is a children's story making centre inStratford, for children aged 0-11 and theirfamilieswww.discover.org.uk

The Fatherhood Institute support practitionersworking with dadswww.fatherhoodinstitute.org

Information and advice to supportparents/carerswww.direct.gov.uk/parents


Around Poplar & EastIndia Children’s Centre’sMonthly Saturday DadsClub

The Children’s Centre team have beenworking closely with their localparents/carers to develop and implementa Monthly Saturday Dads Club. The DadsClub is open to all local male carersincluding fathers, uncles, granddads,brothers and any male carers in thehousehold. This club allows male carersto come in to the Children’s Centre andspend valuable bonding time with theirchildren, playing and learning together.

It also enables male carers to meet eachother whilst learning more about theirChildren’s development.

There are many other sessions open toparents and carers - including dads -throughout the week. If you are interestedin joining our Dads Club, feel free to dropin to our future sessions on 30 January2010, 27 February 2010, 27 March 2010 or24 April 2010.

All sessions are at 10.00am - 12.00pm atAround Poplar Children’s Centre,115 Three Colt Street, London, E14 8AP

For further information, please contactZubair Ahmed at the Children’s Centreon 0207 364 0540

Training Programme



For school and setting staff developing work with parents

KEEP IN TOUCH!This newsletter is produced by theParental Engagement team,Children, Schools and Families.

To share your news in future editions ofParents Matter contact:Nasrena Miah 020 7364 [email protected]

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Parent Information Point (PIP)Transition Sessions for Parents of ChildrenStarting School

Explore the structure and delivery of a PIPsession for parents of children starting school.

Wednesday 10 February 20109.30am – 12.00pm

Strengthening Families, StrengtheningCommunities Refresher Course (Part 2)

A recap of sessions (6 to 13) of the SFSCProgramme. ONLY for facilitators who havealready completed the basic SFSC facilitatortraining.

Thursday 25 February 201010.00am – 4.00pm

Working With Parents Seminars

The following seminar is planned:

Supporting Parents towards WorkWednesday 3 March 20101.00pm – 3.15pm

Sandwiches and fruit will be available from12.45. The seminar will take place at the PDC,English Street.

Strengthening Families, StrengtheningCommunities Refresher Course (Part 1)

A recap of sessions, intro to 5, of the SFSCProgramme. ONLY for facilitators who havealready completed the basic SFSC facilitatortraining.

Tuesday 26 January 201010.00am – 4.00pm

Parent Support – Using Information Services

Information about services for parents/carers inTower Hamlets and how best to obtain relevant,up to date information.These sessions are LAP focused

Wednesday 27 January 2010 LAPs 1+29.30am – 11.00amThursday 28 January 2010 LAPs 3+44.00pm – 5.30pmWednesday 3 February 2010 LAPs 5+69.30am – 11.00amThursday 4 February 2010 LAPs 7+84.00pm – 5.30pm

* Participants should choose only oneof the above

Engaging Parents in Learning at Key Stage One

Discuss the importance of parents supportingtheir children’s learning and investigate ideasand resources for doing this at home.

Tuesday 2 February 20109.00am – 11.30am

For more information about the coursesavailable or to book a place, contact:Husna Begum 020 7364 [email protected]

All courses will take place at the PDC unlessstated otherwise.

All places will be confirmed 1 week before thecourse/session. Late or no notice ofcancellation may result in a charge to yourschool or setting.

workingneighbourhoodfund supportingparentsintowork… · issue21|january2010...

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