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Welcome to Premier Childrenswork’s new schools work page! In each issue, we will be exploring some different ways of engaging with your local primary schools, beyond running an assembly. We’re not saying there’s anything wrong with assemblies, but there are lots of resources out there to guide you with leading collective worship (see the box at the end).
Instead, we’re going to search out and explore some new ideas for you to try in schools. There are many ways through which you can bless schools – running clubs, mentoring, transition work, RE days and many more - the list is long, if not quite endless! But before we launch into anything like that, it’s essential that you have a relationship with your local primary school. If you already lead assemblies or your local school is a Church of England school, then you’ll already have a working relationship. However if you don’t, you can’t just walk in and expect to launch into a massive programme of assemblies, lessons and the like!
Starting a relationship
You may already know people who work in the school – maybe some members of your congregation are on staff. You might also have parents of children who attend the school in your church. Find out what you can do that will benefit the school. Balance that with what you can offer in terms of time, volunteers and resources (and think carefully about your finances). Does what the school needs and what you can offer match up?
Make an appointment to meet with the head teacher (or ask someone to introduce you in person) and chat through how you might benefit the school. It’s important that as churches we serve local schools sensitively, and appropriately. We shouldn’t go in with our own agenda, but instead seek to provide what the school needs. Once you have formed a relationship and fulfilled the safeguarding requirements of the school, kick off with the things you have agreed to do. As you work, you’ll start to earn the trust of the school and you can offer to provide other things.
Getting going
So, what are the potential starting points for work in schools? Here are a few things which might be of benefit:
Listening to children read
Reading is a key skill and sometimes teachers aren’t able (because of time constraints) to listen to children read aloud as much as they would like. Volunteers are often needed for this purpose – you may have people in your congregation, perhaps the recently retired, who have the time to regularly go into schools for short periods at a time to listen to children.
Assemblies
Yes, even though we’re not providing assembly outlines, schools still have to run times of collective worship, and faith visitors are usually welcomed to run occasional assemblies. Make sure that you abide by the school’s wishes in the way that you talk about Christianity and be sensitive of the beliefs of the children in the assembly.
Become a governor
Governors are very important in the life and running of a school, yet Governors for Schools announced in January that one in ten governor posts remain unfilled. You might be able to provide people with the expertise and experience that schools need on their board of governors.
Get out in the garden
Most schools have their own maintenance staff, but would always appreciate a little help. How can your congregation get involved?
Extra adults on trips
School excursions often require more pairs of hands than schools can provide. Once you have been part of a school’s life for a while you might consider volunteering to go along. Of course, people who work nine-to-five won’t be able to take part, but there will be others who might have the time to volunteer.
There are lots of other ways, such as running school clubs, providing timespecific experiences (such as at Christmas), fulfilling parts of the RE curriculum or mentoring, where you might bless schools - but we’ll explore those in future issues.
Don’t forget prayer!
It’s essential that you pray for your local school, regardless of what you do in the school itself! Can small groups regularly pray for year groups? Could you pray for staff members in your Sunday service? There may even be an existing group in your town that meets to pray for the schools in the area. If not, could you start one?
Resources to get you started
- For past assembly plans visit the Premier Childrenswork website www.premierchildrenswork.com www.assemblies.org or www.bibleasedassemblies.com
- Top Tips on Developing Partnerships between Church and Schools (Scripture Union 2008) is full of practical advice about starting and growing a relationship with your local school.
- The Serve Your Local School website www.syls.org.uk is packed with great ideas, from running a breakfast club to buying the school a washing machine!
