REPORT: NAPCE Annual National Conference 2021 – Does Every Child Still Matter?

In July NAPCE organised its first online national conference over three days.

There were presentations on the first day on different pastoral care topics, a Question Time panel on the second day and more presentations on the final day.

It was an excellent opportunity to reflect on the current challenges facing pastoral care and to share ideas on how to respond to these challenges in the future.

The conference brought together experts in pastoral care and delegates with an interest in pastoral care in educations from different parts of the United Kingdom and using the power of the internet form around the world.

Recordings of all presentations and the Question Time from the three days of the conference are available on ‘catch up’ by following this link to the NAPCE website
https://www.napce.org.uk/napce-conference-2021-watch-a-replay-here/

This is a sample of some of the brilliant feedback sent to NAPCE following the conference.

• “Thank you for the brilliant presentations last
  week. It was a very amazing and thought-provoking conference”
• “Thank you NAPCE for organising the brilliant conference ‘Does Every Child Matter? A New Approach to Education’, I enjoyed all the speakers and found it to be very motivating and inspiring”
• “I really enjoyed the conference; The whole conference was excellent. Well done on organising such a good event online”
• “Congratulations, on a very successful event”
• “Thank you for the conference. It actually gave me a new insight into my own teenager”
• “Thank you to all the speakers. You have really hit the nail on the head in so many ways. Extremely useful; and given me lots to think about”
• “Thank you NAPCE and everybody involved in contributing to the conference. The speakers were positive and inspiring”
• “The Question Time was a brilliant opportunity to listen to different views about issues that are important to schools and educationalists”
• “Thank you to everyone on the Question Time panel and in the audience for your thought-provoking conversations.  The Question Time was an excellent discussion with lots of diverse ideas”
• “Absolutely brilliant! Just what I need at the moment. Lots to think about as I start planning for the return to school in September for staff and students. Thank you”
• “Thank you for such wonderful presentations from all the presenters. Clear and interesting talks. Well done”
• “Thank you so much for everybody’s time and contributions. I am a Scottish NQT and appreciate seminars such as this trying to soak up as much info and preparation as possible before I dive into teaching full time in August”

The Conference opened on the afternoon with a presentation from, Dr Kaitlyn Mendes, from, Leicester University and Dr Tanya Horeck, from Anglia Ruskin University, on the important topic of Combatting Online Sexual Harassment – Why we need RSE More Than Ever. 

The presentation provided information on an issue that is very current and made delegates aware of the implications for all schools.

It was clear that this is not something that schools can respond to just with new policies, but a change is needed in school cultures and the pastoral care that is provided.

Free training for teachers is available in the new academic year for sex and relationship education by contacting The School of Sexuality Education at info@schoolofsexed.org
 
The next Presentation was from Lee Pritchard, Head of UK Development, The Thrive Approach, who are partners of NAPCE and one of the sponsors of the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education, organised by NAPCE.

Lee’s interesting presentation explained more about resilience and why it is so important. Lee explored how our brains and bodies work together (or not); what we can do to build our own robust self-regulation systems and then help the children and young people we work with to do the same; and how this will ensure that they are then in a much better place to access learning and thrive!

The presentation highlighted the importance of a whole school approach to supporting learners to achieve their full potential.

It encouraged delegates to reflect on what effective pastoral care should look like in the 21^st century.
 
The final presentation on the first day was from Connor Acton who is a pastoral leader and teacher in Leicester and a member of NAPCE’s National Executive Committee.

Connor’s presentation considered what we have learned from the tests, trials and tribulations brought about by COVID-19 and how they will impact on Pastoral Care as we move into the future. 

It discussed the challenges we may face in the future and how we can take the lessons learned and ensure that Pastoral Care in our schools is effective.

Connor gave a positive report on how attitudes to learning have improved as learners have returned to school and the challenge is how to sustain this improvement.

It encouraged teachers to reflect on how pastoral systems can support learners to develop positive relationships and the implications for staff training in the future to ensure that staff develop understanding and empathy for learners. 
 
On the Thursday evening it was Question Time with a panel of guest experts to answer questions and share ideas with delegates in the audience.

In the Chair was Phil Jones Chair of NAPCE and on the panel were Assistant Professor Mark Diacopoulos, Pittsburg State University USA, Nigel Patrick Murray MBE, a retired British Paralympic athlete, Daniel Sobel, author and the founder and Lead Consultant of Inclusion Expert, Dr Noel Purdy, Director of Research and Scholarship at Stranmillis University College, Belfast, and deputy editor of NAPCE’s academic Journal, ’Pastoral Care in Education’, Margaret Mulholland, the Inclusion Policy Advisor for the Association of School and College leaders (ASCL), and Michelle de Middelaer, an experienced educational consultant for ‘Learning through Leadership’.

The first question was “Is it more important to change how schools are organised or how young people learn?” 

This led to an interesting discussion about the future of schools with views shared by members of the panel and in the audience.

One suggestion was that Covid-19 could be seen as the ‘wrecking ball’ for education which provides an opportunity to think about what schools should be about and why we need schools in the 21^st century.

It was recognised that covid had highlighted just how much work schools do in supporting the educational progress and personal development of young people.

The increased focus on pastoral care that this had encouraged was an opportunity.  

A question about mobile telephones in schools which had been raised in one of the presentations on the first day of the conference raised some issues to be considered in planning and delivering pastoral care and support in schools.

There were different views in response to the questions with some suggestions that schools would want to control anything that was seen as a risk to learning with others commenting that schools needed to teach learners how to use technology safely.

The discussions raised awareness that staff working in school will not fully understand the experience that children and young people have had in the last 18 months and that empathy is important for all adults who are going to be working with children and young people in the future.  
 
The first presentation of the final morning of the conference was from Helen Peter. 

Helen Peter is a teacher, trainer, published writer and author, and inspirational presenter. 

She has worked in over 400 schools and organisations, in all phases, training staff in pastoral care, circle time and mental and emotional health. 

She is the author of “Making the Most of Tutor Time”. 

Helen shared her considerable experience with delegates including ideas for building sound relationships using techniques, activities, and games to engage them.

She provided some excellent practical advice for example on the importance of body language and tone and not just what is said by teachers and adults working with children and young people.

The presentation raised some interesting questions about how online learning has changed learners’ perceptions about their learning experience. 
 

The next presenter was Maria O, Neil who is an experienced pastoral leader, researcher, and advanced skills teacher.

Maria is the founder of Pastoral Support UK and currently works as a pastoral leader in a school as well as various key roles to provide sustainable pastoral training and raise the profile of pastoral leadership nationwide.

Maria has worked as a partner of NAPCE to organise pastoral conferences in the past.

In the autumn term Maria will start a new challenge as a Deputy Headteacher in a school in London.

Maria used the ideas and research from her book published in April 2021, ‘Proactive Pastoral Care.  

Nurturing happy, healthy, and successful learners.’  

The presentation explained why there is a need for a proactive approach to pastoral care in schools.

It will explore how pastoral care in schools can empower students to make healthy life choices, take care of their wellbeing and reach their full potential in school and beyond.

It was clear from Maria’s presentation how her values and beliefs motivate and guide her in her pastoral work.

She started by explaining challenges that she has had as a mother, and this was a reminder for delegates that we are all humans and the people we work with in pastoral care are all humans.

It was clear from the presentation that as professionals we do not know yet what challenges we will have to face in the future in supporting learners.
 

The conference was ended with the final presentation from Phil Jones the National Chair of NAPCE.

Phil has many years of experience in leadership roles in schools and as a school governor and now works as an educational consultant specialising in pastoral care, support for learners and leadership. 

The presentation explored the opportunities and challenges schools will face after the pandemic to engage children and young people in education.

Phil encouraged delegates to reflect on the need to rethink how education meets the needs of children and young people and supports them to achieve their full potential from their learning and prepare them for their future lives in society.

The pandemic has prevented children and young people from experiencing the learning opportunities and activities that support their socialisation.

Using evidence from recent research he suggested that schools will need to consider how to support young people in their personal development and to overcome barriers caused by poor mental health and well-being for some time after there is a return to something like normality following the pandemic.

The presentation highlighted how the experience of the pandemic could be seen as an opportunity to consider what is relevant in a learning experience for children and young people living in the 21^st century and adapt policy and practice to meet their needs. 
 
To share any thoughts or ideas about the topics explored and the ideas shared in the conference please search #NapceCon21 on Twitter.
 

AWARDS: Finalists for the Second National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education Announced

The finalists of the second National Awards For Pastoral Care In Education have been revealed.

Deserving nominees have been selected in each of the eight categories by an independent panel of judges made up educational experts.

The standard of entry was extremely high this year once again, according to NAPCE Chair Phil jones, who sits on the Panel.

The Awards was launched by NAPCE in 2019 and is the first UK-wide scheme to recognise outstanding achievements across pastoral care in education settings.

A host of impressive organisations have lined up to support the National Awards For Pastoral Care In Education by sponsoring categories including Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), Blue Sky Education, The Thrive Approach, Taylor and Francis , Inclusion Expert and Hult International Business School.

The event was created to shine a light on excellent practice in pastoral care and to celebrate the people making a real difference in the educational experience of young people.

It also encourages new initiatives and ideas in pastoral care and recognises the contributions being made to developing policy and practice in pastoral support.

Mr Jones said: “Once again we received a large range of fantastic entries for the National Awards For Pastoral Care In Education and the event is continuing to build spectacularly.

“Thank you once again to all of fantastic sponsors who returned to support the Awards again this year and to our newest supporters who came onboard for the first time.

“Huge congratulations to the finalists in each category, the standard of entry was sky high and getting to the finals is a great achievement in itself.

“Best of luck for the big presentation event later in the year, we will be revealing whether that will take place in person or online again soon.”

The Finalists

Pastoral School of The Year – Sponsored by Blue Sky Education

(A school that can demonstrate a commitment to pastoral care and support for learners that makes a real difference in the progress and personal development of young people in the school)

Royal School Dungannon, Dugannon, Northern Ireland

Oakfield School, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire

The Children’s Hospital School, Leicester

Limavady High School, Limavady, Northern Ireland

School for Inspiring Talents, Newton Abbott, Devon

Pastoral Team of the Year – Sponsored by The Thrive Approach

(A team that works in pastoral care and can demonstrate a determination to support young people to achieve their full potential and a positive impact on the young people they work with)

The Grove Pastoral Team, The Grove School, Tottenham, London

All Saints C of E Primary School, Wigston, Leicestershire

Limavady High School , Limavady, Northern Ireland

Nidderdale High School, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire

Buxton Community School, Buxton, Derbyshire

Pastoral Member of Staff of the Year – Sponsored by Inclusion Expert

(A member of staff who works in pastoral care and who always makes the extra effort to support young people to enable them to become effective learners and achieve success)

Zoe Knight, Westfield Infant School, Hinckley, Leicestershire

Julie McCartney, Limavady High School, Limavady, Northern Ireland

Dawn Sadler, Learning Mentor at Moulton Primary School, Moulton, Northamptonshire

Dr Helen O’Connor, St. Swithun’s School, Winchester, Hampshire

Mrs Shanie Thorpe, Bishop Challoner School, Basingstoke, Hampshire

Pastoral Leader Of The Year – Sponsored by Taylor and Francis 

(Has a passion for pastoral care that is shared with colleagues to inspire and motivate them to make a real difference in the lives of the young people they work with)

Miss Laura Fisher, Limavady High School, Limavady, Northern Ireland

Helen Burton (Deputy Headteacher) Belmont Community School, Belmont Durham

Luke Ramsden, Senior Deputy Head, St Benedict’s School, Ealing

Micki Handford, The Children’s Hospital School, Leicester

Alison Simpson, Cobden Primary School, Loughborough, Leicestershire

Pastoral Development of the Year – Sponsored by NAPCE

(A pastoral initiative or idea that has achieved positive outcomes and has improved the learning experience and future life chances, for young people)

TRT (Trauma Recovery & Training) Student Support and mentoring Intervention Programme

St. Swithun’s School, Winchester, Hampshire – Positive Education Curriculum

Jenny Kay, Nidderdale High School, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire – Flourish Personal Development Programme

The Children’s Hospital School, Leicester – The Thrive Programme

Buxton & Leek College, Leek, Staffordshire – My team (Learner Journey Team), BLC INVEST

Outstanding Contribution to Pastoral Care – Sponsored by NAPCE

(A person, group or organisation that has made a real difference for the benefit of young people in the area of pastoral care)

Jan Ashton, Nidderdale High School, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire

Sarah Cockerline, Oakfield School, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire

Nicola Wright, Nidderdale High School, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire

Claire Gibbs, Ridgeway Secondary School, Redditch, Worcestershire

AchieveNI, Belfast, Northern Ireland

International Contribution to Pastoral Care – Sponsor The Hult International Business School

(An international school or organisation outside of the UK or an individual working in research or in an international school outside of the UK, that has promoted or delivered high quality pastoral care)

Bromsgrove International School, Thailand

Stephany Herzog, International School of Zug and Luzern

Child1st Consultancy Limited

Raising Awareness About Pastoral Care – Sponsored by Association of School and College Leaders

(An individual, group or organisation who through their actions have raised awareness about pastoral care or pastoral issues and encouraged positive improvements for the benefit of young people)

The results of this category will be announced at the Presentation Event later this year, details of this will be announced shortly.

There will be a prize of £100 for the school or institution for the winners of each category and individuals will also be recognised for their achievements.

SURVEY: Invitation to Take Part in Survey on Sexual Violence in Education

Invitation to Schools to Participate in an Important Survey on Sexual Violence in Education

Dr Kaitlyn Mendes and Dr Tanya Horeck made an important presentation at the NAPCE online July conference about combatting online sexual harassment and why we need RSE more than ever.

They are now inviting teachers in schools to contribute to their important research by completing a survey to develop a better understanding of sexual violence in schools.

This can be sent to any teacher to complete.

The survey won’t take more than 7 minutes to complete and will really help with the research.

Follow us on Twitter @napce1 where we’ll be sharing a link to the survey soon.

Dr Kaitlynn Mendes is Professor of Gender, Media and Sociology at the University of Leicester, UK. Tanya Horeck is an Associate Professor in Film, Media & Culture at Anglia Ruskin University in the UK.