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NAPCE News – November 2022

NAPCE News – November 2022

Making a positive difference to young people through pastoral care

LEAD ARTICLE: “What shall we tell the children? Reflections on how to address concerns over potential nuclear conflict in Europe“ by NAPCE’s Max Biddulph

What shall we tell the children? Reflections on how to address concerns over potential nuclear conflict in Europe – By Max Biddulph

Reporting on 6 October 2022, The New York Times quoted U.S. President Joe Biden in a speech made to a fund-raising event the previous evening, as saying ‘that the risk of nuclear conflict in the world had not been so high since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis’.

A year ago, this would have been an astonishing statement to make but since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the word ‘nuclear’ is now regularly used in media environments which are monitored by people of all ages, including children and young people.

For those of us old enough to have experienced previous eras of superpower tensions in the form the cold war in the 1980s, the existence of a nuclear threat is not new.

In the British media of the time, the consequences of using nuclear weapons was graphically articulated by Raymond Briggs’ cartoon ‘When the Wind blows’ (1982) and the BBC drama ‘Threads’ (1984).

Driven by alarms triggered by this media reporting, I undertook a literature review to determine the ways in which children and young people might be processing the current narrative about nuclear weapons that is unfolding and the way in which they might be supported by education professionals.

Unsurprisingly, there appears to be a dearth of recent research, most of the sources I located being written in the 1980s and 1990s. That said, as I engaged with them, I realised that they still have real currency in the present situation.

For example, William Beardslee alerts us to the ways in which young people come to understand the consequences of using nuclear weapons:
‘The evidence indicates that many youngsters are bewildered and perplexed by the threat of nuclear war. Some are frankly troubled or frightened. They often find out about it alone, through the media, or from their peers, without help or guidance from their usual circle of caring adults. Helplessness and a sense of powerlessness, as well as a profound sense of fear about the future, may accompany the realization. (Beardslee 1986, abstract).

The silence that surrounds discussion of this subject pervades both the home and education environments, in fact Lifton and Markusen (1988) refer to this as ‘nuclear numbing’ produced as Beardslee (ibid) observes, by the fact that:
‘It is difficult for anyone to think about these matters, let alone know how to talk to or deal with young people about them. Beyond this, it is disturbing to think that the threat of nuclear war in and of itself might be having an impact on our children’s development. Furthermore, the subject itself, precisely because it is so painful and yet so politically controversial, is inherently divisive’.

Given the above, it is of course completely understandable as to why anyone may wish to avoid the emotive and anxiety-promoting thoughts of the consequences of using nuclear weapons.

That said Buck (2017) offers a counter argument, pointing to the cost to the mental well-being of generations of North Americans living with this spectre with a subsequent silent societal response, and Christie and Hanley (1994) argue that colluding with silence is problematic as discussion is both the problem and the solution to the feelings of powerlessness that young people experience.

Interestingly, in all the literature I read, education is consistently positioned as providing not just an understanding of nuclear issues but also more optimistically, articulating hope for a future.

In all probability, the next generation of world leaders are likely to be engaged with schooling at the present time, and Christie and Hanley (ibid) are at pains to point out, an opportunity exists here to educate and reassure young people.

The teaching and conversation about this subject needs to go beyond information-giving, to inspire young people to take action as the problem solvers and peace makers of tomorrow.

Given their frontline role, teachers charged with pastoral responsibility have opportunities both in the pastoral curriculum e.g. Personal, Social Education and in their daily one to one interactions with students to address this issue.

In the UK, help is at hand in the form of updates posted on their websites in 2022 from both the Department for Education and Education Scotland (see links below), who provide valuable resources for teachers finding themselves engaged in discussion with young people regarding the Ukraine conflict.

These resources are numerous, drawn from a wide range of commentaries and rigorous in their suggestions e.g. teaching critical thinking when making sense of reporting as well as providing strategies to manage the anxiety that listening to the media may trigger.

And yet in my review of the 40+ resources presented, the phenomenon of ‘nuclear numbing’ is alive and well, the ‘n’ word being completely absent.

For novices and experienced practitioners alike, the prospect of discussing nuclear confrontation in classrooms feels like daunting, uncharted territory.

What to do? Be proactive and introduce the subject or watch and wait and be lead by young people themselves?

Whichever scenario applies, practitioners need to be prepared for the subject being raised and may be able to draw on their experience of teaching other sensitive issues.

Two things immediately stand out:

  • Beardslee (1986) presenting the findings of classroom practice in North America in the 1980s, argues that preparation for any discussion of this topic necessarily involves undertaking a personal values audit within the educator themselves. ‘Knowledge’ in this regard needs to go beyond facts and interrogate personal positioning both from a values and feelings point of view
  • As with the teaching of other sensitive issues, lone working is not a good idea. Collaboration with colleagues is sensible, and frame any discussion of this issue within any policies on the teaching of sensitive issues.

Buck (2017) points to the need for directness and honesty in answering classroom questions, foregrounding rationality which has the potential to take the charge out of alarmist thoughts.

Beardslee’s (ibid) research is optimistic in this regard in that it reveals that there is an opportunity to introduce the prospect of hope which comes with dialogue and activism.

Beardslee (1986) argues:
‘This can only occur when they are fully informed and carefully introduced to the issue, supported in their understanding of it, and then willing to take action. This can occur only when they have a vision, a hope for the future, which includes the belief that nuclear war can be prevented and that their actions have an effect. This must be the central aim of our educational efforts…it is essential that young people will not be left alone with their fears. It is essential that they make contact with others who are willing to hear them and to share their concerns’.
What a challenge.

Max Biddulph, School of Education, University of Nottingham

References

Beardslee, W. 1986. Children and adolescents perceptions of the threat of nuclear war: implications of recent studies. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK219180/ Accessed: 07.11.22

Buck, S. 2017. Fear of nuclear annihilation scarred children growing up in the Cold War, studies later showed. https://timeline.com/nuclear-war-child-psychology-d1ff491b5fe0 Accessed: 07.11.22

Christie, D. and Hanley, C.P. 1994. Some psychological effects of nuclear war education on adolescents during cold war II. Political Psychology, 15 (2) pp177-199
Lifton, R. and Markusen, E. 1988. The Genocidal Mentality. New York: Basic Books

Useful links:
Department for Education (DfE), 2022. https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2022/02/25/help-for-teachers-and-families-to-talk-to-pupils-about-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-and-how-to-help-them-avoid-misinformation/ Accessed: 07.11.22
Education Scotland, 2022. Teaching about conflict and war: Support for educators. https://education.gov.scot/improvement/learning-resources/teaching-about-conflict-and-war-support-for-educators/ Accessed: 07.11.22

AWARDS: National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education – ENTRY OPENS DEC 1ST
Entry for the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2023 will open on December 1st, 2022.

The Awards is the first and only scheme based in the UK to recognise great practice of pastoral care providers in the education sector and is now in its fourth year.

We have been delighted with the success of the NAPCE Awards since we launched in 2020 and the initiative continues to go from strength to strength.

We hosted a busy in-person Presentation Evening at Worcestershire County Cricket Club in 2022 and we are planning to hold the 2023 event in September next year.

The closing date for all categories this year will be Wednesday 19th April, 2023, but there’s no reason to wait, get your entries in now.

Just like in previous years, the finalists of the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education will be selected by an independent judging panel and invited to attend the ceremony to share the experience with peers and find out who wins each Award.

After record numbers of entries each year, Phil Jones, Chair of NAPCE, is hoping the Awards, once again, reaches new heights in 2023.

He said: “The NAPCE Awards continues to go from strength to strength and in just three and a half years it has become a fixture in the calendar of so many schools and colleges in the UK and further afield.

“We are now accepting entries for the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2023 and I anticipate a repeat of the outstanding quality of entries we’ve seen in the past.

“Not only do we receive such a large number of entries but one of the main characteristics of the Awards that we see is the outstandingly high level of dedication to and expertise in pastoral care.

“The Awards is a brilliant opportunity to showcase great work in pastoral care across the education sector and so I encourage all schools, colleges and institutions to begin putting together their nominations.

“Entry is online and is not a lengthy process so you can dedicate your time to putting together the best possible submissions. Good luck!.”

NAPCE is inviting nominations in the following categories;

Pastoral School of the Year
Pastoral Team of the Year
Pastoral Member of Staff of the Year
Pastoral Leader of the Year
Pastoral Development of the Year
Raising Awareness about Pastoral Care
Outstanding Contribution to Pastoral Care
International Contribution to Pastoral Care

You can enter the NAPCE categories from December 1st, 2022 here Enter here

Nominations are encouraged for awards in different categories from schools and educational establishments and you DO NOT need to currently be a member of NAPCE to take part.

NAPCE Awards 2023 is an excellent opportunity to share good practice in pastoral care and through our social media, website and those of our partners, the Awards raises awareness of where pastoral support is making a real difference in the educational experience of young people.

The Awards also encourages new initiatives and ideas in pastoral care and will recognise the contributions being made to developing policy and practice in pastoral support.

This is an opportunity to recognise the impact the work of pastoral staff is having on the achievement and well being of young people.

The decisions about prize winners in each category will be made by a panel of invited professionals who work in pastoral care.

There will be a prize of £100.00 for the school or institution for the winners of each category and individuals will also be recognised for their achievements.

The criteria for the NAPCE awards are;

•Pastoral School of the Year
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

•Pastoral Team of the Year
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

•Pastoral Member of Staff of the Year
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

•Pastoral Leader of the Year
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

•Pastoral Development of the Year
A pastoral initiative or idea that has achieved positive outcomes and has improved the learning experience and future life chances, for young people

•Raising Awareness about Pastoral Care
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

•Outstanding Contribution to Pastoral Care
A person, group or organisation that has made a real difference for the benefit of young people in the area of pastoral care

•International Contribution to Pastoral CareAn international school, 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.

Nominations for the NAPCE Awards are welcome from member schools and institutions and from schools and institutions that are not currently members of NAPCE.

 

QUESTION FOR READERS: Dorset School Seeking Advice on IT Systems

A Question for Our Readers from a Dorset School

For forty years NAPCE has enjoyed interacting with and offering advice to schools on a range of subjects around pastoral care work.

We were pleased to receive a message recently from Anne Lennon who works in the pastoral care team at St Michael’s Middle School in Wimbourne, Dorset.

Because we have such a large audience of schools across the UK and further afield we thought, in this instance, we’d put the question to you, our valued readers and pastoral care colleagues.

It’s about effective IT systems. Here’s the question, as it came in.

“I am getting in touch to ask for some advice. I work in a Middle School in Dorset and we as a Pastoral team we are struggling with our outdated IT systems and having to make records in multiple places. I
thought before we try, again, to lobby our Trust board and IT team about having a more efficient system I would check with NAPCE to see whether
you have come across schools who have good IT/Communication systems in place.”

Anne would ideally like some advice before the end of this school term.

If you have valuable experience in this area, please get in touch with us so we can pass your advice onto Anne.

Please contact us via email admin@napce.org.uk

Thank you

CONFERENCE: NAPCE to Chair Online Pastoral Care Conference with ECUK

NAPCE Chair Phil Jones is delighted to have been approached to chair a virtual conference on 9th February, 2023.

Mr Jones will lead the Delivering Outstanding Pastoral Care Conference 2023 ran by Education Conferences UK.

Who should attend?
Pastoral Leaders, Senior Mental Health Leads, Behaviour Leads, Designated Safeguarding Leads, Deputy DSLs, Assistant Heads, Deputy Heads, School Counsellors and any other members of staff who wish to improve their understanding of pastoral care in schools

This conference will enable you to:

  • Get essential updates on key topics for pastoral leads in schools
  • Understand how the cost of living crisis might impact your pupils
  • Come away with practical ideas to support children and families facing poverty
  • Improve how you work with hard to reach and disengaged families
  • Gain a deeper understanding of how to work with children facing mental health challenges
  • Improve how you respond to incidents of cyber bullying to ensure pupils are effectively supported
  • Update your knowledge on school attendance and the changes to guidance and proposed changes in the Schools Bill
  • Go back to your school with practical ideas to improve your behaviour management strategy
  • Hear practical case studies from pastoral leads in schools about changes they have implemented
  • Supports CPD professional development

For more information including details on tickets and sponsorship follow this link https://www.educationconferencesuk.co.uk/conferences-masterclasses/pastoral-care

VACANCIES: Fancy Joining NAPCE’s National Executive Committee?

This is your opportunity to join the UK’s leading pastoral care support organisation.

Now in our 40th year, we are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for you to jon the for the NAPCE National Executive Committee (NEC).

This is your chance to help shape the future of pastoral care and change the lives of young people in our schools.

Of course, we’re looking for people who fit the experience criteria for a post on our board and for professionals with energy and enthusiasm who want to make a difference.

We’re looking for applications for 2023 which would cover a two year term on the NEC. For more information and/or to make an application, please contact us via admin@napce.org.uk

NAPCE News – October 2022

NAPCE News – October 2022

Making a positive difference to young people through pastoral care

LEAD ARTICLE: “Evolving Pastoral Care for a New Digital Age” by NAPCE’s Charlie Walker

Evolving Pastoral Care for a New Digital Age

Of the many stories recalled by my grandfather, one always stands out: the day the first computer arrived at his school.

Not only the deputy headmaster, but also a very able mathematician, he was soon ushered in to work out just what they were going to do with it.

Whilst I am sure he was cautiously excited about the opportunities that such a development could bring, I
doubt that he or any of his colleagues imagined just how expansive technology would become in both
education and in wider society.

My own school journey took place in parallel with some of the fastest developments in this digital revolution.

To give some sense of scale, when I began secondary school in 2012, around 900 million people were signed up to Facebook.

Upon leaving the sixth form, this number stood at over 2.5 billion.

Now training as a neuroscientist, my day-to-day studies cover everything from mental health and addiction to learning methodologies and artificial intelligence.

Specialising in the policy and ethics of neuroscience, I am particularly fascinated by the ever-evolving relationship between young people and technology.

All too often I encounter sentiments that digital devices are merely dangers and distractions. There are indeed very significant risks that potentially lie in wait and these should never be underestimated.

Similarly, whether or not to ban mobile phones and devices in schools is a decision for individual leaders.

However, it is the responsibility of those entrusted with educating young people to do so in a way that best supports them in this new digital era, an era that will only continue to evolve when they leave school.

Reflecting on my own experiences of navigating the constantly changing world of technology, three key
challenges come to mind for school leaders.

Firstly, we must appreciate the very significant cognitive and biological effect that our interaction with technology induces.

Traditionally, downtime away from the classroom may have resembled a game of football in the park or a trip into town with friends.

Such events are periods of relatively low levels of brain activity; recognisable faces, familiar locations, repeated interactions and simple tasks do not require vast loads of neural processing.

This is very much downtime — a chance for the brain to rest — and such periods of recovery are
necessary to allow us to be at our best when required.

However, as technology becomes evermore engrained into the lives of many young people, downtime will now include significant periods using digital platforms and devices.

Yet such experiences, although they may seem fairly simple, are very different from a trip to the park. The endless scrolling, the countless videos and the
constant provision of new ideas and information provide an immediate sensory overload.

Although it might not feel like it, and even if the content seems relatively mundane, the brain is forced to process vast amounts of visual, auditory and logical information.

Additionally, such digital experiences are easy to access and provide instant gratification, quickly releasing quantities of the pleasure neurotransmitter dopamine.

Compare this to a game of football: the physical exhaustion, the necessity of teamwork and the dream of victory are replaced by a simple tap of the finger.

Too much time spent in this sphere of sensory overload is dangerous. The brain has little time to recover and, as a result, young people will be entering classrooms and other important environments having had little real downtime. This is without mentioning the impact on factors such as sleep patterns and eyesight.

Pastoral leaders should always preach moderation, educating young people and helping them to understand the harmful effects that such behaviour can unknowingly induce.

Working alongside students individually, to develop strategies to break dangerous cycles of behaviour, especially when they may not be aware of it, is potentially very valuable.

Secondly, is important that we do not underestimate the speed at which these digital tools and spaces are
developing. When I began secondary school, Facebook was the predominant social media website.

Now, it is largely considered dated and young people spend the majority of their time on other platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

New platforms deliver new trends and new interactions, and such mass fluidity in the way young people use digital spaces is important for understanding how to improve support.

Such influences may include patterns in
activities, challenges and fashions. In recent months, we have seen the particularly devastating effect of online trends with the TikTok ‘blackout challenge’.

Even for those staff who do not use social media, staying aware of the key developments in how and why young people might use certain platforms is essential.

This can help tailor care, improve awareness of behaviour patterns and even create a proactive environment where pupils who may be particularly vulnerable to certain trends can be supported more closely.

Just like teachers will understand the dynamics of the corridors and playground, they should also understand (to their best ability) the dynamics of the virtual alternatives.

Finally, we must understand the significant impact that social media can have on the wellbeing of young
people.

A whirlwind of ‘likes’, influencers and virtual behaviours is now widespread.

The desire to compare and contrast these idealistic scenarios with our own lives is a natural human tendency; a seemingly perfect and care-free world, streamed straight to your phone and out-of-touch with real life.

Throw in the opportunity for anonymous messaging and comments, a competition for ‘likes’ and a narrow viewpoint of social acceptability, and you have a perfect recipe for distress and uncertainty.

Pastoral leaders must understand the exposure of young people to these alternative (and fake) existences, to these trends in behaviour and to these ideals of social acceptability.

Educating students on the dangers of this — and ‘finding reality’ again — can be incredibly powerful in raising awareness, building confidence and allowing young people to thrive, whoever they might be.

Now in his eighties, my grandfather has definitely kept up with the digital revolution; I know this all too well, regularly called in to act as an iPad technician.

The challenges that pastoral leaders face today, brought on by these digital tools and platforms, are a world away from that which he knew.

However, one underlying similarity remains, and that is the desire of young people to explore, to challenge, to take risks and to fit in.

With the landscape of the digital world constantly changing, keeping up with the right way to support them can be very difficult.

These factors render our digital age one of great excitement and opportunity, but also one of great challenges.

The danger is not in the tool itself, but in the way we use it; a hammer can break a finger or build a house,
depending on the care we take and the understanding we have.

Whilst the environment that surrounds them
may have evolved significantly, young people are still fundamentally the same. They try new things, they make mistakes but they often learn from them; that is the neuroscience of development.

Whether in the park or online, one aspect remains constant: it is the knowledge, support and guidance which surrounds them that is key.

Charles Walker FRSA
NEC Young Member
Adviser on Young People in the House of Commons

AWARDS: Huge Success of National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2022 – Winners Announced
The winners of the third annual National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education were unveiled at a busy ceremony on October 7th.For the first time finalists attended an in-person event at the home of Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

Despite a planned rail strike one day later, nominees travelled from all over the UK including several parties who flew in from Northern Ireland to celebrate the outstanding practice in pastoral care.

The atmosphere was warm, vibrant and celebratory, special guests included Pastoral Support in Education Director Maria O’Neill who gave an opening address in which she declared that all finalists had “won the hearts and minds of those in their care.”

The event was hosted with aplomb by long-standing NAPCE Chair Phil Jones.

“We’re all absolutely delighted with the way the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education has continued to go from strength to strength,” he revealed.

“To witness so many highly talented and devoted pastoral care experts in one room is truly inspiring.

“A huge thanks to everyone who came along, especially the people who travelled many miles and those who flew in, and once again big congratulations to all of the winners.”

More nominations than ever before, brilliant winners and wonderful support from across the education sector defined NAPCE Awards 2022.

Here are the winners and finalists of the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2022.

Pastoral School of the Year – Sponsored by AHM Procurement

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.

Fir Vale School

St Catherine’s College, Armagh

Fairfield Primary School

Moorlands Junior School

Abbey School

Pastoral Team of the Year – Sponsored by NAPCE

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.

Cathal Meegan and the Mentoring Programme team, St Patricks College, Dungannon

Strangford College Pastoral Team

Andrew McCartney and Julie Grantham, Hull College

Pastoral Forum, St Cecilia’s College

Staffordshire University’s Institute of Policing (Work Based Education Officers)

Pastoral Member of Staff of the Year – Sponsored by NAPCE

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.

Frances Wood, Moulton College

Conor Lavery, St Patricks College, Dungiven

Anna Marie Byrne, St Catherine’s College, Armagh

Shani Thorpe, Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School

Andrew Keep, St Bees School

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.

Angela Bowker, Wright Robinson College

Moses Arthur, Brent Inclusion ServicesA

Catherine Currie, St Cecilia’s College

Martine Mulhern, St Cecilia’s College

Dr Vanessa Mitchell, The Ladies College, Guernsey

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.

Emma McCarron, St Patricks College, Dungannon

Meridian High School Summit Team

St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena

Russell Friese, Bassett House School

Michael Fitzsimons, Trinity Sixth Form Academy

Outstanding Contribution to Pastoral Care – Sponsored by NAPCE

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

YGAM

Niamh O’Sullivan, St Cecilia’s College

Hull College

All Saints C of E Primary School

Majella McCartney, St Patricks College, Dungiven

Raising Awareness about Pastoral Care – Sponsored by The 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.

Luke Ramsden, Senior Deputy Headteacher, St Benedict’s School, West London

Miss Hannah Walton, One/Third Project

International Contribution to Pastoral Care – Sponsored by The Hult International Business School

An international school, 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.

Partnership for Children

REPORT: NACPE Chair Phil Jones Reports on a Busy NAPCE Weekend in Worcester

A Busy Weekend in Worcester by Phil Jones

The NAPCE team were in Worcester for a weekend of meetings and events at the start of October.

The presentation event for the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2022 took place on the Friday evening in the Graham Hick Pavilion at Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

It was a lovely venue and the prosecco tasted good as we glanced towards the stunning architecture of Worcester Cathedral that lit up on skyline on a “mizzly” early autumn evening.

It was brilliant to have our first ever ‘in person’ awards presentation ceremony and it was great to meet and congratulate the winners and finalists.

There will be more information to share on the good practice demonstrated by the finalists in future editions of the NAPCE newsletter.

On the Saturday morning it was back to work with meetings of the National Executive Committee and the NAPCE Editorial Board at The University of Worcester.

Some of the plans and ideas discussed included the Anniversary Conference and Anniversary Dinner that have been moved to March 11th, 2023, following the train strike which fell on October 8th.

There was a discussion about organising a conference in the future in Northern Ireland. Watch for news about this and other events in future editions of this bulletin.

On the Saturday evening the NAPCE team had the opportunity to relax with a visit to the oldest pub in Worcester, the Cardinal’s Hat followed by an enjoyable Italian dinner.

It was time to say goodbye at breakfast on the Sunday morning and we’re looking forward to meeting up again in March.

 

CONFERENCE: National Safeguarding in Education Conference in London a Networking Success for NAPCE

NAPCE was delighted to be represented at the recent National Safeguarding in Education Conference in London organised by Optimus Education.

NAPCE had a display stand at the conference and it was great to speak with delegates about our work supporting Pastoral care in education and to talk about our plans for future events and activities.

The event was very well attended with over 250 delegates from different parts of the United Kingdom filling the Excel Centre suite.

It was also a great opportunity to raise awareness about NAPCE and how it shares good practice and supports the work of teachers and other professionals working in pastoral roles.

National Chair, Phil Jones and National Executive member Luke Ramsden were invited to speak at the conference.

Their presentation explored the importance of using pastoral systems in a school to develop a positive culture for safeguarding.

The pair shared ideas about how strategies such as student voice and open and transparent leadership supports the building of a positive culture.

The presentation used scenarios to examine different safeguarding situations that staff might face and delegates had an opportunity to share their expertise and ideas about how to respond.

 

VACANCIES: Fancy Joining NAPCE’s National Executive Committee?

This is your opportunity to join the UK’s leading pastoral care support organisation.

Now in our 40th year, we are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for you to jon the for the NAPCE National Executive Committee (NEC).

This is your chance to help shape the future of pastoral care and change the lives of young people in our schools.

Of course, we’re looking for people who fit the experience criteria for a post on our board and for professionals with energy and enthusiasm who want to make a difference.

We’re looking for applications for 2023 which would cover a two year term on the NEC. For more information and/or to make an application, please contact us via admin@napce.org.uk

NAPCE Awards 2023 – ENTRY NOW OPEN

Entry for the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2023 is now open.

The Awards is the first and only scheme based in the UK to recognise great practice of pastoral care providers in the education sector and is now in its fourth year.

We have been delighted with the success of the NAPCE Awards since we launched in 2020 and the initiative continues to go from strength to strength.

We hosted a packed in-person Presentation Evening at Worcestershire County Cricket Club in 2022 and we are planning to hold the 2023 event in September next year.

The closing date for all categories this year will be Wednesday 19th April, 2023, but there’s no reason to wait, get your entries in now.

Just like in previous years, the finalists of the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education will be selected by an independent judging panel and invited to attend the ceremony to share the experience with peers and find out who wins each Award.

NAPCE is inviting nominations in the following categories;

Pastoral School of the Year
Pastoral Team of the Year
Pastoral Member of Staff of the Year
Pastoral Leader of the Year
Pastoral Development of the Year
Raising Awareness about Pastoral Care
Outstanding Contribution to Pastoral Care
International Contribution to Pastoral Care

You can enter the NAPCE categories here Enter here

Nominations are encouraged for awards in different categories from schools and educational establishments and you DO NOT need to currently be a member of NAPCE to take part.

NAPCE Awards 2023 is an excellent opportunity to share good practice in pastoral care and through our social media, website and those of our partners, the Awards raises awareness of where pastoral support is making a real difference in the educational experience of young people.

The Awards also encourages new initiatives and ideas in pastoral care and will recognise the contributions being made to developing policy and practice in pastoral support.

This is an opportunity to recognise the impact the work of pastoral staff is having on the achievement and well being of young people.

The decisions about prize winners in each category will be made by a panel of invited professionals who work in pastoral care.

There will be a prize of £100.00 for the school or institution for the winners of each category and individuals will also be recognised for their achievements.

The criteria for the NAPCE awards are;

•Pastoral School of the Year
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

•Pastoral Team of the Year
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

•Pastoral Member of Staff of the Year
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

•Pastoral Leader of the Year
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

•Pastoral Development of the Year
A pastoral initiative or idea that has achieved positive outcomes and has improved the learning experience and future life chances, for young people

•Raising Awareness about Pastoral Care
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

•Outstanding Contribution to Pastoral Care
A person, group or organisation that has made a real difference for the benefit of young people in the area of pastoral care

•International Contribution to Pastoral CareAn international school, 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.

Nominations for the NAPCE Awards are welcome from member schools and institutions and from schools and institutions that are not currently members of NAPCE.

NAPCE Awards 2022 – Winners Announced

The winners of the third annual National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education were unveiled at a busy ceremony on October 7th.

For the first time finalists attended an in-person event at the home of Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

Despite a planned rail strike one day later, nominees travelled from all over the UK including several parties who flew in from Northern Ireland to celebrate the outstanding practice in pastoral care.

The atmosphere was warm, vibrant and celebratory, special guests included Pastoral Support in Education Director Maria O’Neill who gave an opening address in which she declared that all finalists had “won the hearts and minds of those in their care.”

The event was hosted with aplomb by long-standing NAPCE Chair Phil Jones.

More nominations than ever before, brilliant winners and wonderful support from across the education sector defined NAPCE Awards 2022.

Here are the winners and finalists of the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2022.

Pastoral School of the Year – Sponsored by AHM Procurement

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.

Fir Vale School

St Catherine’s College, Armagh

Fairfield Primary School

Moorlands Junior School

Abbey School

Pastoral Team of the Year – Sponsored by NAPCE

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.

Cathal Meegan and the Mentoring Programme team, St Patricks College, Dungannon

Strangford College Pastoral Team

Andrew McCartney and Julie Grantham, Hull College

Pastoral Forum, St Cecilia’s College

Staffordshire University’s Institute of Policing (Work Based Education Officers)

Pastoral Member of Staff of the Year – Sponsored by NAPCE

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.

Frances Wood, Moulton College

Conor Lavery, St Patricks College, Dungiven

Anna Marie Byrne, St Catherine’s College, Armagh

Shani Thorpe, Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School

Andrew Keep, St Bees School

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.

Angela Bowker, Wright Robinson College

Moses Arthur, Brent Inclusion ServicesA

Catherine Currie, St Cecilia’s College

Martine Mulhern, St Cecilia’s College

Dr Vanessa Mitchell, The Ladies College, Guernsey

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.

Emma McCarron, St Patricks College, Dungannon

Meridian High School Summit Team

St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena

Russell Friese, Bassett House School

Michael Fitzsimons, Trinity Sixth Form Academy

Outstanding Contribution to Pastoral Care – Sponsored by NAPCE

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

YGAM

Niamh O’Sullivan, St Cecilia’s College

Hull College

All Saints C of E Primary School

Majella McCartney, St Patricks College, Dungiven

Raising Awareness about Pastoral Care – Sponsored by The 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.

Luke Ramsden, Senior Deputy Headteacher, St Benedict’s School, West London

Miss Hannah Walton, One/Third Project

International Contribution to Pastoral Care – Sponsored by The Hult International Business School

An international school, 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.

Partnership for Children

NAPCE News – September 2022

NAPCE News – September 2022
Making a positive difference to young people through pastoral care

NAPCE Chair Phil Jones invites YOU to the NAPCE 40th Anniversary Pastoral Care Conference on October 8th.

ANNIVERSARY: Special NAPCE Conference Explores Topic “Is There a Need for a New Direction for Pastoral Care in Education?” – TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

The 40th Anniversary Conference – “Is there a need for a new direction for pastoral care in education?”

A special Conference to mark 40 years of NAPCE will take place on October 8th and tickets are available now.

TICKETS HERE: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-direction-for-pastoral-care-in-education-tickets-348110968277

For people working in pastoral care roles in education it is an event not to be missed! Here’s a run down of what to expect.

What delegates will gain from attending the Conference

An insight into what Ofsted thinks is good practice in pastoral care.
Latest ideas from research into pastoral care.
Information about current and future policymaking in pastoral care in education.
Examples of good practice in pastoral care in education.
Opportunity to meet other delegates who are interested in supporting learners to achieve their full potential.
Guidance on how to achieve excellent pastoral care and support for learners that provides them with a positive learning experience.
Guidance on areas that can make a real difference to the learning experience for children and young people including, SEND, inclusion, governance, and pastoral leadership.
For details visit www.napce.org.uk and follow the link for the conference on the homepage.

Confirmed Speakers and Workshop Leaders

Catherine Crooks | Her Majesty’s Inspector | Schools and Early Education Inspection Policy Specialist Adviser Team

How pastoral care features in the work of Ofsted

Ofsted’s guiding principle is to be a force for improvement through intelligent, responsible, and focused use of inspection, regulation, and insights. Our focus is on improving outcomes for children and young people. In this talk, Catherine will be illustrating how well-being and safeguarding are threads that run through inspection and research work. This will include considering what inspectors look for on inspection; how we aim to get under the surface of a child’s lived experiences of being at school; and the findings of some of our recent research, such as the education recovery reports and the sexual abuse review.

Catherine has worked for Ofsted as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors for over six years. She has considerable experience of leading maintained and independent school inspections in primary, secondary and special schools. Catherine is also a specialist adviser working in the policy, quality, and training team. In this role, she has been involved in the development of the school inspection handbook and training for inspectors. Prior to joining Ofsted, Catherine worked as a teacher, consultant, and leader for over 20 years. Most recently, she was a senior local authority education officer with responsibilities that included school improvement.

Heather Hanbury, President 2022-23 Girls School Association

Heather Hanbury was educated at Princess Gardens School, Belfast, and Edinburgh University where she read Geography. After a gap year she went on to Wolfson College, Cambridge and gained an MSc in Land Economy, spending much of her second year carrying out field research in Hong Kong, based at Hong Kong University.
She worked initially as a market analyst and moved on to be a senior Management Consultant with Touché Ross, where she spent six years. She ran the Corporate Fundraising Department of Voluntary Service Overseas for two years before embarking on her career in education.
In 1995 Mrs Hanbury took a PGCE at the Institute of Education, London University. Her first teaching job appointment was at Blackheath High School where she progressed, via Head of Upper School, to Head of Sixth Form. She took on the same role at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls before being appointed Deputy Head (Staff Welfare and Development) at Latymer Upper School, Hammersmith. After five years in this post, she was appointed Headmistress at Wimbledon High School, where she led the school from 2008 to July 2014. Mrs Hanbury has been Headmistress of Lady Eleanor Holles since September 2014.
Mrs Hanbury’s main hobbies are cooking (with some skill) and playing bridge (with sadly little skill!). She is an enthusiastic traveller, regularly goes to the theatre and makes an annual pilgrimage to the Edinburgh Festival.

Carole Gregory

‘The Importance of Governance for effective Pastoral Care in Schools”
This session focuses of the role of the governing body to fulfil the 3 core strategic functions as set out by the DfE in relation to pastoral care. We will share and discuss the meaning of pastoral care and the statutory function of the board to ensure the wellbeing of the headteacher. The main focus of the presentation is to share ‘top tips’ for governors to ensure effective strategies are in place to develop, support and embed effective pastoral care in school settings through the wellbeing of the Headteacher

Carole has worked in Education for over 37 years and has been a Headteacher of several First and Primary schools in Worcestershire and Oxfordshire. During that time Carole has also worked for the Archdiocese of Birmingham as a Diocesan School Inspector. Carole has extensive experience of governance as a Headteacher but also as a Parent Governor, staff governor and Chair of Governors. Carole joined Worcestershire Governor Services in 2008 and is the Strategic Lead for Governance within Worcestershire Children First working alongside the School Improvement Team. Carole also undertakes some work for the University of Worcester as a School Experience tutor for trainee teachers in addition to some private governance consultancy work in other local authorities.

Dr Matt Silver
Governance: Evolving accountability regarding SEND in the light of the proposed White Paper and the SEND Green Paper

As the paper and other financial systems working outside of the paper demand more efficiency from the system, this session looks at the evolution of governance and the values that drive each stage. The patterns emerging demonstrate why we cannot wait for the system to change from the inside and how we must take a collective accountability to take the next step towards creating equitable communities.
Dr Matt Silver is the CEO of Pathways Education and Vice Chair of NAPCE

His doctorate at UCL Institute of Education is based on applied positive psychology, specifically self-determination theory, vertical development, and emotional intelligence in curriculum design. Matt catalyses the energy of individuals and coheres the collective energy into transformational innovation. Pathways runs coaching and team journeys for leaders to be able to do the same and models this himself in schools and colleges to re-engage some of the most complex students in learning and growth. He designs and delivers cutting edge social enterprise curricular at all levels of education to create socially equitable employment and business pathways for young adults with additional needs; integrating their unique skill sets into agents of social change. He has set up multiple businesses and runs a circular economy to create employment and community opportunities that didn’t previously exist. He believes!

“That’s not me, I’m on the inside” – Understanding the link between feelings, thoughts, and behaviour.

There is so much that can affect what a child’s story of the world is.
So often, rather than tell us about this, they will show us. Their chosen method of communication, the quickest, easiest way to let us know, is their behaviour; they may have no idea where this behaviour comes from.
As trusted adults what do we know and what do we assume? In order for us to know, a child has to trust enough to tell us how they are feeling and what they are thinking.
This workshop introduces children to their internal world. The world of feelings and thoughts; how their internal world is just as important as the external world and that these two worlds are inextricably linked through behaviour.

Liz Bates

After working in schools for over 25 years, as a teacher and senior leader, Liz worked as a Safeguarding advisor for Birmingham LA and with an educational charity for 10 years leading on Mental Health, Emotional Health, and Wellbeing.
Now an independent consultant working with schools and other organisations, Liz also delivers presentations, workshops, and research findings at national conferences. Liz is the author of 8 books, teaching sets and resources that are used across the country by schools and by other professionals working with children and has written for a number of professional journals. Liz has also worked for the Anna Freud Centre, Optimus Education, The Protective Behaviours Consortium and sits as a Magistrate in the Family Court.

Dr Dee Gray and Charlie Walker. What do young people want from pastoral care and support?

Appreciating the bi-directional world of the young carer and school culture, opening up to finding young carers (often hidden in plain sight), and having a mindset that shifts from ‘doing for or to, to doing with’, are the take away points to inform pastoral care and support in all educational establishments.

Dee is the Founding Director/Managing Director of the Young Carers Academy, Dee’s work with young carers began when a County Council commissioned an adaptation of her frontline stress management programme for young carers and school staff, after which she set up the Young Carers Academy as a not-for-profit organisation to continue the work. Dee has been an invited speaker at international conferences (Sweden, Malaysia, and New Zealand) on her work with young carers. Dee runs her business working primarily with frontline staff, has a national role as the RSA Councillor for Wales, is Fellow of the RSA and visiting Fellow to the MBA programme at University of Wales Trinity St David.

Ronald Skelton. M.Ed. B.Phil. B.Ed. (Hons) NPQH LLE
Creating an ethos, in an inner-city Academy, that supports students’ wellbeing, develops their character, and enables them to flourish.

The presentation will explore how we ensure students are safe, happy and love their learning. We encourage all students to develop their character throughout their time at Broadway. This is achieved by encouraging students to live out and practice the Academy values of Integrity, Respect, Optimism, Responsibility, Appreciation, Aspiration, Generosity, and Inclusivity. Our curriculum is tailored to the community and designed to enable all students to maximise their academic potential so that they can flourish, whilst at school and throughout their lives, as proactive British Citizens. We have an unswerving bias towards the students who come from poor families and also SEND students. We provide a safe, caring, and inspirational learning environment based on excellent learning, exceptional pastoral support, and a stunning co-curricular programme. We have created a special ethos at Broadway that visitors often notice when they visit.

Ron has been Headmaster of Broadway Academy since 2008, he is currently the longest serving secondary Headteacher in Birmingham, he was educated at Tynemouth Sixth Form College and went on to study for a B.Ed. (Hons) in Physical Education and Religious Education. Since 1991 he has taught PE and in recent years RE in four schools in Worcestershire and Birmingham.

He has gained two further degrees in Management and Leadership from Birmingham University and Buckingham University and also the National Professional Qualification for Headship.

He has been a Local Leader of Education since 2011 and worked successfully across many schools in Birmingham on school improvement, governance, and other related issues. Ron is a former chairman of Titan Trust. He has been a member of Birmingham SACRE since 2009 and a member of the Headteachers West Midlands Ofsted Reference group since 2013.

Ron was a Royal Marine Reserve for eight years, is still an active sportsman and has a black belt in Judo. Ron is a member of his local church and regularly takes Church services, he sat on the Diocesan Church Committee for 8 years and set up a charity in his home town Redditch in 2021: Redditch Youth for Christ. He is the current Chair of the West Midlands Police Advisory Board. He has written on and spoken nationally at conferences on the subject of inter- faith, partnerships, school ethos, leadership and ‘British Values.’

TICKET LINK BELOW

A New Direction for Pastoral Care in Education
8th October 2022
At Worcestershire County Cricket Ground, Worcester

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-direction-for-pastoral-care-in-education-tickets-348110968277

More news about other speakers and workshop leaders will be included in the September NAPCE monthly newsletter.

FEATURE ARTICLE: Caring for the Carers. NAPCE’s Dr Julianne Brown Explores Implementation of Stress Reduction Systems for Pastoral Care Staff in Schools

Caring for the carers – Workplace stress and School Leader implementation of a stress reduction system

Over the last year, I have attended conferences, workshops and meetings both online and in person and become aware of a reoccurring theme from colleagues working in pastoral care in education: workplace stress.

Many have mentioned their need to step back from work and some are thinking about or have left their long-term roles.

I recognise that without a more robust investigation, this is only anecdotal, and may be symptomatic of a greater problem. Nonetheless, it does raise a warning flag.

In this article I address the responsibility that school leaders have for the implementation of stress reduction strategies in the workplace with a particular focus on pastoral carers and support staff in schools.

Whilst many people are now feeling some relief from the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic the caring professions are showing their exhaustion.

We often hear about the effect of the pandemic on the medical profession, and rightly so.

After years of working at full capacity in highly stressful circumstances with inadequate resources, staff are now feeling the devastating effects of persistent work overload.

Caring for others in a professional capacity, no matter what the setting, is a complex and emotional task: listening to and responding to human emotion such as anxiety, distress, grief, and the continuous questioning of the politics and injustices that reveal themselves so clearly during our times of struggle, can take its toll.

In the field of pastoral care, as with education generally, the pandemic has required a sustained adaptation to changing circumstances at work.

Grounded in our relationships with others, the physicality of pastoral encounters was pushed to the virtual space as schools closed.

This unfamiliar setting brought new concerns for child safety and a detached form of interaction alien to many of us. We worked it out, found new ways of working in the virtual space, but the impact of these experiences combined with the personal stressors arising from the pandemic such as personal illness, separation and loss of family and friends, should not be underestimated.

After a long summer break, where there was a return to some semblance of a new normal, the school year has now started.

The dominant assumption, and hope, is that colleagues have been able to relax and will return to school with a renewed feeling of enthusiasm and confidence about the coming months ahead.

Nonetheless, there is a possibility of a delayed effect from the pandemic on the health and wellbeing of pastoral carers and support staff particularly, that can occur after traumatic events.

A proactive stance to reducing stressors at work is vital. School leaders accepting responsibility and taking action to prevent the spiral towards burn out and providing support for those who have already reached that point, is needed to relieve stress and related mental health problems, avoid work absence and longer-term sick leave (HSE 2022).

What is stress?

Stress can be defined as “the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them” (HSE 2022).

There is an important distinction to be made between pressure, which, if managed correctly, can be a positive state, and stress which can be harmful to our health.

Often, when we talk about stress management, the emphasis is on the individual incorporating personal strategies into their life to improve physical health and social and emotional wellbeing, building resilience, to bounce back from difficulties.

Self-management strategies can include:
· Talking to someone you trust
· Finding a workable balance between life and work
· Practicing daily mindfulness activities to improve your wellbeing and longer-term resilience
· Making healthier lifestyle changes to ensure adequate rest, sleep, exercise and food and nutrition
· Taking time out to care for yourself

Self-management strategies are within our personal control, we can choose to adopt lifestyle changes and learn skills to help us take a more mindful approach to everyday pressures. Stressors in the workplace also influence our feelings of stress and are often outside our personal sphere of control. Personal strategies on their own therefore, are unlikely to provide a long-term solution to ongoing stressors in the workplace.

Through my doctoral studies, I became aware that the way in which we structure the environment, and what we say and do every day as leaders, has a profound effect on how organisations are shaped. Those same structures enable or prevent what is possible in terms of behaviour and actions (Brown 2020). School leaders have a duty to protect employees from stress at work, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment that supports wellness in the workplace. In some countries, such as the UK, this is a legal obligation. Workplace stress management implementation is a priority for managers and leaders in education.

What does workplace stress look like?
The HSE have identified two categories of workplace stress, teams and individuals, and the signs and symptoms to watch for:

The signs that a Team may be experiencing undue stress are for example:

Arguments
Higher staff turnover
More reports of stress
More sickness absence
Decreased performance
More complaints and grievances

The signs that an Individual may be experiencing undue stress may include:
Taking more time off
Arriving later for work
Appearing nervous
Mood swings
Being withdrawn
Loss of motivation, commitment and confidence
Increased emotional reactions – being more tearful, sensitive or aggressive
The HSE categories of teams and individuals provides a useful lens in which to view stress in schools and is a reminder that although stress has physical, emotional and social affects for the individual, the impact of someone struggling touches everyone.
The following table from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS 2022) has adapted the work of the HSE and identified 7 factors that have been shown to influence stress in the workplace.
Task design – relating to workload, hours, skills, abilities and training, isolation in the workplace
Role in the organisation – job expectations, responsibility, multiple roles
Career development – overall job satisfaction, job security, job security, lack of career development
Relationships at work – Conflicts with supervisors, colleagues, threats to personal safety, lack of trust, lack of systems for reporting and dealing with unacceptable behaviour, prejudice or discrimination
Organisational structure/climate/management style – participation in decision making, communication patters, little recognition for good job performance, no involvement from employees during organisational change, unfairness, lack of support
Work-life Balance – role/responsibility conflicts, family exposed to work-related hazards
Workplace Conditions/Concerns – unpleasant conditions, exposure to hazards
The 7 factors from the CCOHS provide a useful framework in which to consider stress in the workplace.
What can I do as a School Leader?
1. Undertake a risk assessment for stressors in the workplace
A risk assessment is the first step. The success of an effective stress reduction system in the workplace relies on the ability of the leader to engage with staff and actively listen to their concerns. Time constraints may well be given as a factor against such an approach, however, proactive commitment to stress reduction in the workplace will limit staff sickness and long-term absence (HSE 2018).
2. Facilitate dialogue and active listening
Any attempt at a risk assessment and effective system for stress reduction must take into consideration the need for respectful dialogue within the special context of each school, and should be aligned with the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Facilitating dialogue and active listening are communication skills essential for success. The HSE (2018) has produced a wonderful resource “Talking Toolkit-Preventing work-related stress in schools”, that helps guide school leaders to initiate such conversations with their staff.
3. Develop enhanced skills for resolving conflict and problem solving
Understand the basics of how to resolve conflict and work towards a shared process of problem solving. Consider specific training to gain or develop these skills.
4. Be aware of the 7 influencing factors of stress above and ensure effective systems are in place to protect employees.
There may be immediate changes that can remove or alleviate stressors from the work environment. Even changes that seem minor, can make a huge difference and have a positive impact on staff morale. Any concerns around safety at work should be addressed immediately.
5. Finally, act early and always take staff concerns seriously

Returning to the pastoral carers who were the impetus for this article. I encourage all school leaders to make time now, at the beginning of the school year, to do a wellness check with your school’s pastoral carers and support staff. How are they feeling about returning this year? Are there any worries that need to be addressed? Is there an effective support system for the health and pastoral care staff e.g. professional network, external counselling support?

As a leader you can make a real difference to how the whole school community feels by leading the way with a proactive approach to stress management in the workplace.

Dr Julanne Brown
NEC Member, NAPCE

References:
Brown, J., 2020 “Becoming Global: A critical exploration of students’ understandings of Global Citizenship in a private international school in Switzerland”.
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (COHS) 14.09.2022
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/stress.html (accessed 12.09.2022)

Health and Safety Executive Talking Toolkit: Preventing work related stress in schools (2018) https://www.hse.gov.uk/gohomehealthy/assets/docs/EducationTalkingToolkit.pdf (Accessed 13.09.2022)

ARTICLE: “The Right to Feel Safe” by Safeguarding Specialist Liz Bates

The Right to Feel Safe by Liz Bates

We often don’t think about feeling safe – we take it for granted.

It may not appear in our day-to-day language – if asked how we are feeling it is unlikely that we give the answer ‘safe’.

We may only become aware when there is an absence of feeling safe, when it is not there, when it has been replaced by a different feeling – feeling unsafe.

We are also far more likely to call this something else too, rather than ‘feeling unsafe’.

We may say hurting, anxious, scared, threatened, isolated, different, picked on….., as true for adults as it is for children.

There is plenty that goes on between feeling safe and feeling unsafe; there is not the space to discuss this here, but hopefully another time.

It is not uncommon to ask children if they feel safe, and in my years working with practitioners and professionals I have discussed this many times and often suggested that a child may struggle to answer this if they do not understand what ‘safe’ feels like.

I have encouraged schools to consider this and the right to feel safe as an under pinning for any or all of their anti-bullying work; changing the language around bullying can have a significant effect (and it provides a perspective for this article).

The phrase ‘the right to feel safe’ is taken from the Protective Behaviours Theme One ‘We all have the right to feel safe all of the time’ and as a Protective Behaviours associate it gives a context for much of my work.

Being safe and feeling safe are often connected but they are not the same thing and indeed one may exist without the other.

The most memorable example of how this can be misunderstood comes from an experience I had when supporting the safeguarding team in an infant school.

They had asked their children if they feel safe coming to school.

To their horror almost all of the Reception class had responded ‘no, I do not feel safe coming to school’. Thus my invitation to visit.

There was a lot to unpick. Eventually I realised that the timing of a road safety project was the issue – done just before the questions about feeling safe.

Almost every child had conflated the idea of being unsafe walking next to dangerous roads on their way to school, even though it was likely they felt safe and were safe, with how they felt about coming to and being at school.

What this discovery led to was a fascinating piece of work around understanding feelings, language, safe and unsafe, and ultimately the answer to ‘if I don’t feel safe what can I do?’. A significant outcome.

It also took me down the path of ‘how do we help children to recognise what feeling safe and unsafe feel like and if they feel unsafe what can they do?’ Which is the Protective Behaviours process.

As adults we can be particularly good at telling children what is and is not safe, giving them the external references – and rightly so.

However equally, if not more important is children having the ability to understand and recognise for themselves safe and unsafe, having an internal measure – and to know that if they feel unsafe, they need to seek help.

Feeling safe and secure is central to children realising their potential and leading healthy and fulfilled lives, so giving them the opportunity to explore and understand the right to feel safe in its broadest sense is fundamental to their emotional health, resilience and wellbeing.

Crucial within this is that step – the ‘seeking help’.
“Something has happened…” may be one of the first things a child says to an adult when making a disclosure.

That is, if they ever get that far. To reach that point of making a disclosure, or telling, can be an extraordinarily difficult step to take.

And this can be telling about anything, from a fallout with a friend, a struggle with schoolwork, an act of unkindness, through to abuse being perpetrated against them.

No child will tell unless they feel safe enough to do so and crucially to know…..who to tell, when to tell, how to tell, that it is safe to tell, that it is worth telling.

How can adults who work with children help them to know and understand that what is happening to them may not be okay; to recognise those unsafe feelings; to know that they can do something and to know what that is; to persist and break the rules to get their voice heard?

The book and resource ‘Something Has Happened: Supporting Children’s Right to Feel Safe’ explores all of the above and what follows below.

https://www.routledge.com/Something-Has-Happened-A-Storybook-and-Guide-for-Safeguarding-and-Supporting/Bates/p/book/9781032069128

What is a trusted adult?
We use the term trusted adult with children but for those children whose idea of trusting an adult may be fractured or non-existent there is much to do. Indeed any adult who proposes to be a trusted adult has to recognise not just the importance of the role but what their role means to a child.

The first step is to interrogate what trust means. We have to move beyond an expectation that a child will or should automatically trust an adult – there is enough evidence against that.

We cannot simply tell a child they can trust us and then expect them to do so. A child should know they have the right to have evidence of why an adult is to be trusted. Which takes us straight back to understanding what safe and unsafe feels like and why that is so important.

A trusted person is someone who a child feels safe with. Safe may mean happy, relaxed, comfortable, not judged, their body will tell them.

For that trusted adult the evidence may lie in them being a good listener, being reliable, knowledgeable, empathetic, connectable, mindful, mind-minded, will take action, is on their side. And all of this has to be explicit – we cannot and should not expect or assume that a child will take our word for this. That is not evidence.

And as much as you may want or need to be that person, it will be the child who decides, and they may decide it is not you.

So any pastoral role has to be predicated on demonstrating and evidencing your reliability, consistency and constancy. Yes, we may regularly have to ‘prove’ our fidelity.

Understanding what our feelings mean, what safe and unsafe feel like, what happens in between safe and unsafe, the safety continuum, networks of support, being a helpful friend, persistence and breaking the rules, are all key elements of safeguarding.

The importance of understanding this as adults and teaching children about it, cannot be over-emphasised.

And, of course, it is not just about children, we all have the right to feel safe…but maybe that is another article for another time.

Liz Bates
Safeguardng Consultant
lizslamer@gmail.com

CELEBRATION DINNER: Join us to Celebrate NAPCE’s 40th Anniversary

You are invited to the Anniversary dinner to celebrate the 40 years since NAPCE was formed.

It will be an opportunity to meet with other people who have contributed to the history of NAPCE and to celebrate the difference it has made for raising awareness about pastoral care in education and the difference it makes to the learning experience for children and young people and supports their personal development to prepare them for their future lives in society.

This event will take place at the Worcestershire Cricket Ground, overlooking the Severn River and cathedral in Worcester.

It takes place on Saturday 8th October as part of a weekend of events to celebrate the anniversary which include a two-day conference and the presentation for the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2022.

The event is open to members and non-members.

Availability is limited and you are advised to reserve your ticket early to avoid disappointment.

Tickets can be reserved by visiting https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/napce-40th-anniversary-dinner-tickets-299335118397

The programme for the evening is,

7-00pm Guests Arrive – Prosecco Welcome Reception.
7-30pm Three Course Anniversary Dinner.

Dinner menu

Starter
Cream of Leek, Potato and Watercress Soup, Croutons (V) (GF)
Main course
Roasted Chicken Supreme, Gratin Potato, and Red Wine Gravy (GF
Dessert
White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake (V)

Vegetarian/Vegan Gluten Free option
Starter
Leek, Sweet Potato and Spinach Soup (GF)
Main course
Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato and Roasted Red Peppers, Parsley and Dill Sauce with Tender Stem Broccoli (GF)
Dessert
White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake (V)
Please advise in advance of the evening if you would prefer the vegetarian option or if you have any additional dietary requirements.

8-30pm After Dinner Speaker – Les Walton CBE

Les as he explains in his recently published book ’Education the Rock and Roll Years. A Northern Perspective on A lifetime of learning Teaching and Leading’, was one of the leading educationalists involved in the forming of NAPCE in 1982.

As the title of the book suggests, Les has a wide experience of education in recent history that he will share with guests at the dinner.

9-30 pm Pay bar available until 11-00 pm to meet old friends and make new friends. Please note this is a cashless venue.

The cost of the Anniversary Dinner is £35.00 for full members of NAPCE, £40.00 for Associate members and £45.00 for non- members.

Please dress to impress.

Please note that tickets will not be refunded unless the event is cancelled by the Association for reasons beyond its control when a full refund will be made.

There are direct train services from London to Worcester Foregate Station which is a ten-minute walk or short taxi ride from the venue.

Cross country trains call at the new Worcestershire Parkway, which has connections to Foregate Street. There is parking available at the venue and at public car parks nearby.

The venue has a Premier Inn Hotel on the site and there is a good choice of other options for accommodation in the city of Worcester.

Please book your tickets early to ensure that you do not miss this important event in NAPCE’s history to celebrate the contribution it has made to education in the last 40 years.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact NAPCE administration at admin@napce.co.uk

EVENT: NAPCE Proud to Support National Conference on Child Protection in Education on September 27th

National Conference on Child Protection in Education on September 27th

NAPCE is attending the 2022 Conference on Child Protection in Education which takes place at Earl’s Court London on Tuesday 27th September.

Our team will be delivering a workshop on developing a positive safeguarding culture at the event.

National Chair Phil Jones and NAPCE safeguarding expert Luke Ramsden will be leading the workshop, which will explore how effective pastoral care can develop a positive culture for learning and provide children and young people with a positive and safe learning environment to support them in achieving their full potential.

NAPCE will have an exhibition at the Conference where there will be an opportunity to find out more about the support available to delegates who share our belief that supporting the personal development and wellbeing of learners is a vital part of their educational experience.

National Secretary of NAPCE Jill Robson and Anne Jones, our Admininstrator will be available to answer your questions and give more information about the work of NAPCE.

The Conference is organised by Optimus Education and details can be found here: https://www.childprotectionineducation.com

It takes place at the ILEC Conference Centre in Earls Court, London.

This is the 18th year of this important national child protection conference.

NAPCE is pleased to be supporting the event which provides an opportunity to network with leading educational lawyers, practitioners, and experts, unpack the Department for Education advice and guidance and take away proven strategies and resources to implement and evidence compliant child protection procedures and an outstanding school-wide safeguarding culture.

If you are attending the Conferenc, please take the opportunity to come and talk to the NAPCE on our stand.

“Staying up to date with KCSIE responsibilities and learning the lessons that strengthen our child protection practices and multi-agency working has never been more crucial. Spotting the signs, empowering our young people to make disclosures, and ensuring outstanding relationships and cultures in our schools is vital.” – Optimus Education Conference Brochure (2022)

NAPCE News – August 2022

NAPCE News – August 2022
Making a positive difference to young people through pastoral care

FEATURE ARTICLE: “The Value of Education in 2022″ by NAPCE Chair Phil Jones

The Value of Education in 2022 by NAPCE Chair Phil Jones

The summer holiday is a time to reflect on recent experiences away from the daily challenges of working life.

It is an opportunity to have the luxury of planning ahead and to be ambitious about what can be achieved in the future.

When I was working full time as a leader in secondary schools the summer holiday seemed to break into three sections.

For the first two weeks I would struggle to unwind still thinking about all the issues that I had face at the end of the term.

The middle two weeks was an opportunity to have some time to myself when I could find time to read or just to think without feeling guilty about not focusing on more ‘urgent’ matters.

The final two weeks I would spend convincing myself that I was going to ‘enjoy’ going back to work and that I would not miss the freedom and time I had experienced during the holiday.

The luxury of being able to think of new ideas provides motivation and a determination to overcome the barriers that may appear.

The break from the daily pressures of work is essential to developing the positive mindset and belief that you can make a difference in the learning experience and future lives of the children and young people in your care.

My reading this summer included an article in the Times with the title ‘Schools out. Get your Child off their screen’.

In the article head teacher and author Mike Fairclough explains how to raise confident, capable children.

This encourages reflection on what is a relevant learning experience in 2022.

It was not planned by any inspirational educationalists but one of the impacts made by the pandemic was that many children and young people experienced more family learning during the lockdowns.

Families spent time learning together, for example cooking, gardening, and exploring the local area.

There was a realisation of the important contribution that schools, colleges and universities make to the socialisation of children and young people in preparation for their adult lives.

Although there was concern that learners were falling behind on the academic curriculum and in their preparation for future examinations there was recognition that learning and personal development could be encouraged by different experiences that took place outside the formal classroom.

Mike has worked for 25 years in primary education including 18 years as head teacher and he has four children.

In his state school his pupils learn skills such as shooting, lighting fires and fishing.

His most recent book is called ‘Rewilding Childhood – Raising, Resilient Children who are Adventurous, Imaginative and Free’.

There have been many initiatives in the past to explore alternative approaches to education, to provide learners with a different experience.

They have often not been seen as a success because it is argued they do not prepare children and young people to make an effective contribution in the workplace and to the economic success of the country.

This does not mean that new ideas about the relevance of the current educational experience and suggestions such as a ‘rewilding childhood’ should not encourage pastoral leaders and staff in pastoral roles to reflect on their practice and consider if pastoral structures and systems in schools are supporting the personal development and achievement of learners.

Inspiration can be taken from the ideas in Mike Fairclough’s latest book about how to nurture confident capable children who can thrive in the face of life’s challenges.

There is a similar theme in the recent book from Valerie Hannon and Amelia Peterson, ‘Thrive, The purpose of schools in a changing world”.

As the title suggests the book raises concerns about the gap between the knowledge, skills and attitudes and values that tomorrow’s world will require and what our current school systems provide.

The book advocates a new purpose for education in a rapidly changing world where the priority for education will be to enable children and young people to Thrive and the learning experience is relevant for the reality of the world they will live in.

I remember, in my childhood. heading off on bikes with friends to find adventures in the local area which, on reflection, were brilliant learning experiences and I survived these challenges without a mobile telephone or any satellite tracking system.

These experiences were not part of any planned curriculum, but they certainly contributed to my personal development and socialisation and helped to prepare me for the challenges I would face in my education and future life.

During the pandemic it was a concern that children not in school and were missing out, not only on their preparations for examinations, but on their socialisation and personal development.

Education was valued for the experiences it provides for children and young people to develop as people and to prepare them to make a positive contribution to society.

The relief of a return to “normal” seems to also be accompanied by lessons from the experience of the pandemic being forgotten.

When NAPCE was first formed in 1982 the educationalist who had that vision saw the importance of education being more than just meeting the economic needs of the country, but as an important investment in the learning and future lives of all children and young people.

In her book ‘A Curriculum of Hope. As Rich in Humanity’ Debra Kidd examines a positive approach to how schools can be empowered to build bridges between their pupil’s learning and the world around them.

The book presents examples of how schools, parents, pupils, and their communities can learn together.

The author challenges the view that the role for children is simply to listen and learn and advocates that they should be actively engaged in local and global issues.

This has implications for pastoral leaders and staff in pastoral roles who need to consider how they can support the learning experience of children and young people in their care to ensure that it is relevant for the modern world that they will live and work in.

Mike Fairclough encourages parents to not be too cautious and this advice is relevant to professionals working in pastoral care in education.

Children and young people need a learning experience where they can understand risks and challenges and at the same time have the support and guidance that encourages them to achieve their full potential.

In The Times article Mike argues for a middle ground between recklessness and extreme caution as being ideal for providing a positive learning experience that is relevant to the needs of children and young people in the 21stcentury.

“Showing children how to light a fire means they learn how to handle risk, respect fire and manage their own safety” The Times

As Chair of the National Association for Pastoral Care in Education I would like to wish all our members and supporters an enjoyable summer.

I hope that you will take the opportunity to reflect upon the learning experience provided for children and young people.

This can encourage ambitious plans and ideas that provide learners with a relevant and stimulating education that meets their needs and supports their personal development as members of society.

Phil Jones
National Chair
The National Association for Pastoral Care in Education (NAPCE)

References
Hannon, V, Patterson, A. (2021). Thrive. The Purpose of Schools in a Changing World, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Kidd, D, (2020), A Curriculum of Hope. As Rich in Humanity as in Knowledge, Independent Thinking Press, Carmarthen.
Fairclough, M. (2022) Rewilding Childhood – Raising Resilient Children who are Adventurous, Imaginative and Free, Hay House UK.
Maxted, A (2022) Schools Out. Get your child off their screen, Times newspaper Saturday July 16th, 2022

ANNIVERSARY: 40 Years of NAPCE Through the Lens of Our Pastoral Care Broadsheets

40 Years of NAPCE

In this anniversary year it is an opportunity to look back at how NAPCE has worked to make the educational experience and personal development the priority for research, policy making and practice in education.

It is hard to believe that 40 years ago when NAPCE was formed there was no internet and educationalists shared ideas by writing, reading, and meeting each other face to face.

One of the ways that NAPCE kept members and professionals interested in pastoral care was by producing ‘Broadsheets’ on different pastoral issues.

These were the Twitter of their day with the latest thinking, ideas, and examples of good practice.

One Broadsheet that was produced by NAPCE had the title ‘The Value of Pastoral Care and Personal-Social Education’.

Unfortunately, there is no date on the Broadsheet but from the quotations I would estimate that it was produced early in the 1990’s.

It explained that the aim of the paper was to bring together evidence and arguments to show the impact and value of pastoral care and personal and social education in schools.

It is interesting that a close link is made between pastoral care and personal and social education, suggesting that pastoral care in schools has an important role in supporting personal development and the development of social skills as part of children and young people’s experience of education.

It comments: “When resources for education are scarce the aspects of school which are not obviously direct teaching can sometimes come under threat”.

How true that is in the 2020’s with schools under pressure because of accountability and scarce resources to prioritise achieving good examinations results at the expense, many teachers would argue, of the socialisation of children and young people which is an important part of their educational experience.

The then “Department of Education and Science” is quoted with the guidance, ‘We recommend that headteachers and teachers should ensure that pastoral care in schools is characterised by a healthy balance between challenge and support for pupils”.

This values the contribution that effective pastoral care can make to education, and it would be encouraging to see similar comments encouraging schools to invest in pastoral care from current Government announcements at the DfE.

The paper encourages schools to recognise the impact that pastoral care and PSE has on supporting learners.

It argues that the benefits of effective pastoral care are long term, and this makes them difficult to manage.

This is possibly where pastoral leaders (seen by some as a reluctance to measure impact) have not achieved recognition for effective pastoral care, which can make a difference on the education of children and young people.

The paper comments, “It is simply not possible to create simple outcome measures of personal and social development” (Assessment and Performance Unit 1981).

The aim should not be to create success indicators for the purpose of accountability but to take the opportunity to demonstrate the positive outcomes being achieved by staff in pastoral roles in schools.

The Broadsheet demonstrates that ideas from the history of NAPCE can be useful in stimulating debate and discussion around the contribution that effective pastoral care can make to education.

It also demonstrates that in 2022 there is an important role for NAPCE to share ideas that encourage educationalists to focus on meeting the needs of children and young people in discussions and decision making about the priorities for the education.

The NAPCE newsletter will explore other Broadsheets produced by NAPCE during its history and consider what discussions they can stimulate about current policy and practice in education in future editions.

Phil Jones
National Chair
The National Association for Pastoral Care in Education (NAPCE)

ANNIVERSARY: Special NAPCE Conference Explores Topic “Is There a Need for a New Direction for Pastoral Care in Education?”

The 40th Anniversary Conference – “Is there a need for a new direction for pastoral care in education?”

A special Conference to mark 40 years of NAPCE will take place on October 7th and 8th. For people working in pastoral care roles in education it is an event not to be missed! Here’s a run down of what to expect.

What delegates will gain from attending the Conference

An insight into what Ofsted thinks is good practice in pastoral care.
Latest ideas from research into pastoral care.
Information about current and future policymaking in pastoral care in education.
Examples of good practice in pastoral care in education.
Opportunity to meet other delegates who are interested in supporting learners to achieve their full potential.
Guidance on how to achieve excellent pastoral care and support for learners that provides them with a positive learning experience.
Guidance on areas that can make a real difference to the learning experience for children and young people including, SEND, inclusion, governance, and pastoral leadership.
For details visit www.napce.org.uk and follow the link for the conference

Confirmed Speakers and Workshop Leaders

Catherine Crooks | Her Majesty’s Inspector | Schools and Early Education Inspection Policy Specialist Adviser Team

How pastoral care features in the work of Ofsted

Ofsted’s guiding principle is to be a force for improvement through intelligent, responsible, and focused use of inspection, regulation, and insights. Our focus is on improving outcomes for children and young people. In this talk, Catherine will be illustrating how well-being and safeguarding are threads that run through inspection and research work. This will include considering what inspectors look for on inspection; how we aim to get under the surface of a child’s lived experiences of being at school; and the findings of some of our recent research, such as the education recovery reports and the sexual abuse review.

Catherine has worked for Ofsted as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors for over six years. She has considerable experience of leading maintained and independent school inspections in primary, secondary and special schools. Catherine is also a specialist adviser working in the policy, quality, and training team. In this role, she has been involved in the development of the school inspection handbook and training for inspectors. Prior to joining Ofsted, Catherine worked as a teacher, consultant, and leader for over 20 years. Most recently, she was a senior local authority education officer with responsibilities that included school improvement.

Heather Hanbury, President 2022-23 Girls School Association

Heather Hanbury was educated at Princess Gardens School, Belfast, and Edinburgh University where she read Geography. After a gap year she went on to Wolfson College, Cambridge and gained an MSc in Land Economy, spending much of her second year carrying out field research in Hong Kong, based at Hong Kong University.
She worked initially as a market analyst and moved on to be a senior Management Consultant with Touché Ross, where she spent six years. She ran the Corporate Fundraising Department of Voluntary Service Overseas for two years before embarking on her career in education.
In 1995 Mrs Hanbury took a PGCE at the Institute of Education, London University. Her first teaching job appointment was at Blackheath High School where she progressed, via Head of Upper School, to Head of Sixth Form. She took on the same role at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls before being appointed Deputy Head (Staff Welfare and Development) at Latymer Upper School, Hammersmith. After five years in this post, she was appointed Headmistress at Wimbledon High School, where she led the school from 2008 to July 2014. Mrs Hanbury has been Headmistress of Lady Eleanor Holles since September 2014.
Mrs Hanbury’s main hobbies are cooking (with some skill) and playing bridge (with sadly little skill!). She is an enthusiastic traveller, regularly goes to the theatre and makes an annual pilgrimage to the Edinburgh Festival.

Carole Gregory

‘The Importance of Governance for effective Pastoral Care in Schools”
This session focuses of the role of the governing body to fulfil the 3 core strategic functions as set out by the DfE in relation to pastoral care. We will share and discuss the meaning of pastoral care and the statutory function of the board to ensure the wellbeing of the headteacher. The main focus of the presentation is to share ‘top tips’ for governors to ensure effective strategies are in place to develop, support and embed effective pastoral care in school settings through the wellbeing of the Headteacher

Carole has worked in Education for over 37 years and has been a Headteacher of several First and Primary schools in Worcestershire and Oxfordshire. During that time Carole has also worked for the Archdiocese of Birmingham as a Diocesan School Inspector. Carole has extensive experience of governance as a Headteacher but also as a Parent Governor, staff governor and Chair of Governors. Carole joined Worcestershire Governor Services in 2008 and is the Strategic Lead for Governance within Worcestershire Children First working alongside the School Improvement Team. Carole also undertakes some work for the University of Worcester as a School Experience tutor for trainee teachers in addition to some private governance consultancy work in other local authorities.

Dr Matt Silver
Governance: Evolving accountability regarding SEND in the light of the proposed White Paper and the SEND Green Paper

As the paper and other financial systems working outside of the paper demand more efficiency from the system, this session looks at the evolution of governance and the values that drive each stage. The patterns emerging demonstrate why we cannot wait for the system to change from the inside and how we must take a collective accountability to take the next step towards creating equitable communities.
Dr Matt Silver is the CEO of Pathways Education and Vice Chair of NAPCE

His doctorate at UCL Institute of Education is based on applied positive psychology, specifically self-determination theory, vertical development, and emotional intelligence in curriculum design. Matt catalyses the energy of individuals and coheres the collective energy into transformational innovation. Pathways runs coaching and team journeys for leaders to be able to do the same and models this himself in schools and colleges to re-engage some of the most complex students in learning and growth. He designs and delivers cutting edge social enterprise curricular at all levels of education to create socially equitable employment and business pathways for young adults with additional needs; integrating their unique skill sets into agents of social change. He has set up multiple businesses and runs a circular economy to create employment and community opportunities that didn’t previously exist. He believes!

“That’s not me, I’m on the inside” – Understanding the link between feelings, thoughts, and behaviour.

There is so much that can affect what a child’s story of the world is.
So often, rather than tell us about this, they will show us. Their chosen method of communication, the quickest, easiest way to let us know, is their behaviour; they may have no idea where this behaviour comes from.
As trusted adults what do we know and what do we assume? In order for us to know, a child has to trust enough to tell us how they are feeling and what they are thinking.
This workshop introduces children to their internal world. The world of feelings and thoughts; how their internal world is just as important as the external world and that these two worlds are inextricably linked through behaviour.

Liz Bates

After working in schools for over 25 years, as a teacher and senior leader, Liz worked as a Safeguarding advisor for Birmingham LA and with an educational charity for 10 years leading on Mental Health, Emotional Health, and Wellbeing.
Now an independent consultant working with schools and other organisations, Liz also delivers presentations, workshops, and research findings at national conferences. Liz is the author of 8 books, teaching sets and resources that are used across the country by schools and by other professionals working with children and has written for a number of professional journals. Liz has also worked for the Anna Freud Centre, Optimus Education, The Protective Behaviours Consortium and sits as a Magistrate in the Family Court.

Dr Dee Gray and Charlie Walker. What do young people want from pastoral care and support?

Appreciating the bi-directional world of the young carer and school culture, opening up to finding young carers (often hidden in plain sight), and having a mindset that shifts from ‘doing for or to, to doing with’, are the take away points to inform pastoral care and support in all educational establishments.

Dee is the Founding Director/Managing Director of the Young Carers Academy, Dee’s work with young carers began when a County Council commissioned an adaptation of her frontline stress management programme for young carers and school staff, after which she set up the Young Carers Academy as a not-for-profit organisation to continue the work. Dee has been an invited speaker at international conferences (Sweden, Malaysia, and New Zealand) on her work with young carers. Dee runs her business working primarily with frontline staff, has a national role as the RSA Councillor for Wales, is Fellow of the RSA and visiting Fellow to the MBA programme at University of Wales Trinity St David.

Ronald Skelton. M.Ed. B.Phil. B.Ed. (Hons) NPQH LLE
Creating an ethos, in an inner-city Academy, that supports students’ wellbeing, develops their character, and enables them to flourish.

The presentation will explore how we ensure students are safe, happy and love their learning. We encourage all students to develop their character throughout their time at Broadway. This is achieved by encouraging students to live out and practice the Academy values of Integrity, Respect, Optimism, Responsibility, Appreciation, Aspiration, Generosity, and Inclusivity. Our curriculum is tailored to the community and designed to enable all students to maximise their academic potential so that they can flourish, whilst at school and throughout their lives, as proactive British Citizens. We have an unswerving bias towards the students who come from poor families and also SEND students. We provide a safe, caring, and inspirational learning environment based on excellent learning, exceptional pastoral support, and a stunning co-curricular programme. We have created a special ethos at Broadway that visitors often notice when they visit.

Ron has been Headmaster of Broadway Academy since 2008, he is currently the longest serving secondary Headteacher in Birmingham, he was educated at Tynemouth Sixth Form College and went on to study for a B.Ed. (Hons) in Physical Education and Religious Education. Since 1991 he has taught PE and in recent years RE in four schools in Worcestershire and Birmingham.

He has gained two further degrees in Management and Leadership from Birmingham University and Buckingham University and also the National Professional Qualification for Headship.

He has been a Local Leader of Education since 2011 and worked successfully across many schools in Birmingham on school improvement, governance, and other related issues. Ron is a former chairman of Titan Trust. He has been a member of Birmingham SACRE since 2009 and a member of the Headteachers West Midlands Ofsted Reference group since 2013.

Ron was a Royal Marine Reserve for eight years, is still an active sportsman and has a black belt in Judo. Ron is a member of his local church and regularly takes Church services, he sat on the Diocesan Church Committee for 8 years and set up a charity in his home town Redditch in 2021: Redditch Youth for Christ. He is the current Chair of the West Midlands Police Advisory Board. He has written on and spoken nationally at conferences on the subject of inter- faith, partnerships, school ethos, leadership and ‘British Values.’

TICKET LINK BELOW

A New Direction for Pastoral Care in Education
7th and 8th October 2022
At Worcestershire County Cricket Ground, Worcester

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-direction-for-pastoral-care-in-education-tickets-348110968277

More news about other speakers and workshop leaders will be included in the September NAPCE monthly newsletter.

CELEBRATION DINNER: Join us to Celebrate NAPCE’s 40th Anniversary

You are invited to the Anniversary dinner to celebrate the 40 years since NAPCE was formed.

It will be an opportunity to meet with other people who have contributed to the history of NAPCE and to celebrate the difference it has made for raising awareness about pastoral care in education and the difference it makes to the learning experience for children and young people and supports their personal development to prepare them for their future lives in society.

This event will take place at the Worcestershire Cricket Ground, overlooking the Severn River and cathedral in Worcester.

It takes place on Saturday 8th October as part of a weekend of events to celebrate the anniversary which include a two-day conference and the presentation for the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2022.

The event is open to members and non-members.

Availability is limited and you are advised to reserve your ticket early to avoid disappointment.

Tickets can be reserved by visiting https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/napce-40th-anniversary-dinner-tickets-299335118397

The programme for the evening is,

7-00pm Guests Arrive – Prosecco Welcome Reception.
7-30pm Three Course Anniversary Dinner.

Dinner menu

Starter
Cream of Leek, Potato and Watercress Soup, Croutons (V) (GF)
Main course
Roasted Chicken Supreme, Gratin Potato, and Red Wine Gravy (GF
Dessert
White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake (V)

Vegetarian/Vegan Gluten Free option
Starter
Leek, Sweet Potato and Spinach Soup (GF)
Main course
Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato and Roasted Red Peppers, Parsley and Dill Sauce with Tender Stem Broccoli (GF)
Dessert
White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake (V)
Please advise in advance of the evening if you would prefer the vegetarian option or if you have any additional dietary requirements.

8-30pm After Dinner Speaker – Les Walton CBE

Les as he explains in his recently published book ’Education the Rock and Roll Years. A Northern Perspective on A lifetime of learning Teaching and Leading’, was one of the leading educationalists involved in the forming of NAPCE in 1982.

As the title of the book suggests, Les has a wide experience of education in recent history that he will share with guests at the dinner.

9-30 pm Pay bar available until 11-00 pm to meet old friends and make new friends. Please note this is a cashless venue.

The cost of the Anniversary Dinner is £35.00 for full members of NAPCE, £40.00 for Associate members and £45.00 for non- members.

Please dress to impress.

Please note that tickets will not be refunded unless the event is cancelled by the Association for reasons beyond its control when a full refund will be made.

There are direct train services from London to Worcester Foregate Station which is a ten-minute walk or short taxi ride from the venue.

Cross country trains call at the new Worcestershire Parkway, which has connections to Foregate Street. There is parking available at the venue and at public car parks nearby.

The venue has a Premier Inn Hotel on the site and there is a good choice of other options for accommodation in the city of Worcester.

Please book your tickets early to ensure that you do not miss this important event in NAPCE’s history to celebrate the contribution it has made to education in the last 40 years.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact NAPCE administration at admin@napce.co.uk

AWARDS: Finalists of NAPCE Awards 2022 Announced

The finalists of the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2022 have been unveiled.

Now in its third year, the Awards continues to go from strength to strength and deserving nominees have been selected in seven categories by an independent panel of judges made up of educational experts.

The standard of entry was “exceptional” once again this year, according to NAPCE National Chair Phil Jones, who is a member of the judging panel.

The Awards was launched by NAPCE in 2019, with the first winners revealed in 2020.

It is the first UK-wide scheme to recognise outstanding achievements across pastoral care in education settings.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic previous winners were announced at on-line events but this year an in-person presentation ceremony will take place on Friday, October 7th.

The NAPCE Awards was created to highlight 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: “We’re extremely proud to once again have received so many outstanding nominations for the Awards this year.

“Big congratulations to the finalists in each category, the quality of entry was extremely high, and I should point out that getting to the final stages is a huge achievement in itself.

“I am delighted that this year we will be able to hold our firs ever in person presentation ceremony at the stunning Worcestershire County Cricket Ground, in Worcester and tickets for all finalists are FREE.

“Best of luck to all finalists and we look forward to meeting you all in October.”

Details about how to book tickets will be sent to finalists directly, before being made available to people from across the education sector.

The presentation ceremony will take place on a special weekend to celebrate the 40th anniversary of NAPCE which will also include a conference for people working in pastoral care and a special dinner.

The Finalists

Pastoral School of The Year

(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)

St Catherine’s College, Armagh
Fairfield Primary School
Fir Vale School
Moorlands Junior School
Abbey School

Some of the comments made in the nominations included:-

“Students feel safe when they arrive at school and have lots of support available. We have recently set up a Pride room, due to the increase in the demand of mental health in society – this has been a major plus.

“Our school has an outstanding pastoral care system in place where all our staff are instrumental to the happiness, security, and general wellbeing of all our students.”

Pastoral Team of The Year

(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)

Strangford College Pastoral Team
Andrew McCartney and Julie Grantham, Hull College
Cathal Meegan and the Mentoring Programme team, St Patrick’s College, Dungannon
Pastoral Forum, St Cecilia’s College
Staffordshire University’s Institute of Policing (Work Based Education Officers)

Some of the comments made in the nominations include:-

“They are a fantastic team to work with, they never give up and always want to support any student with any need.

“I would like to nominate my team for the Pastoral team of the year as they go above and beyond to ensure the wellbeing of children and staff at our school.”

Pastoral Member of Staff of the Year

(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)

Conor Lavery, St Patrick’s College, Dungiven
Anna Marie Byrne, St Catherine’s College, Armagh
Frances Wood, Moulton College
Shani Thorpe, Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School
Andrew Keep, St Bees School
…
Pastoral Leader of Staff of the Year

(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)

Moses Arthur, Brent Inclusion Services
Catherine Currie, St Cecilia’s College
Martin Mulhern, St Cecilia’s College
Dr Vanessa Mitchell, The Ladies College, Guernsey
Angela Bowker, Wright Robinson College

Some of the comments made in the nominations in this category included:-

“Is an inspiration to our young people and has motivated them to do amazing things.

“In her daily interactions with pupils, she shows empathetic understanding and genuine concern, no issue is insignificant, no worry trivialised. For her, pupil happiness and well-being is paramount.”

Pastoral Development of the Year

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

Meridian High School Summit Team
Emma McCarron, St Patrick’s College, Dungannon
St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena
Russell Friese, Bassett House School
Michael Fitzsimons, Trinity Sixth Form Academy

Some of the comments in the nominations included:-

“The school has introduced a new individual pastoral care initiative that delivers a threefold support system to ensure no pupil is left behind and that every child receives the personalised pastoral support they need, where a team of non-teaching pastoral welfare leaders, learning mentors, thrive practitioners and child wellbeing practitioners work together to meet the needs of the students so that learning can become their focus and ultimately keys to their future successes.”

Outstanding Contribution to Pastoral Care

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

Niamh O’Sullivan, St Cecilia’s College
Hull College
All Saints C of E Primary School
YGAM
Majella McCartney, St Patrick’s College, Dungiven

Raising Awareness About Pastoral Care

(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)

Luke Ramsden, Senior Deputy Headteacher, St Benedict’s School, West London
Miss Hannah Walton, One/Third Project

The comments in the nominations in this category included:-

“Wanted to prevent any other student feeling like they don’t have support during their education, so she set up the one/third protect to support students, schools, and organisations to improve their support for mental health and wellbeing.

“Willingness to communicate his message on the importance of pastoral care has helped to influence significant numbers of senior leaders and safeguarding leads across the country. Ultimately, his drive and commitment to raise the awareness of pastoral care in educational settings is helping to improve safeguarding practice and keep more children safe.”

International Contribution to Pastoral Care

(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)

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

Comments made for the nominations in this category included:-

“Running an international partnership working with 30 partner organisations around the world to promote and support pastoral care in schools through our evidence based social and emotional learning.

“Our model includes training international partners in the programmes in order for them to deliver the programmes in their countries.”

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

To find out more about the excellent contributions to pastoral care and support for children and young people join NAPCE at the presentation event on October 7th to congratulate the finalists and winners who will be announced on the evening. For details follow the link below

The PRESENTATION EVENT for the 2022 National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education organised by NAPCE
Friday 7th October at 7-00pm
At Worcestershire County Cricket Ground in Worcester

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/presentation-for-the-2022-national-awards-for-pastoral-care-in-education-tickets-385720870507

UPDATE: On “Suspension and Permanent Exclusion from maintained schools, academies, and pupil referral units in England, including pupil movement” Guidance

Suspension and Permanent Exclusion from maintained schools, academies, and pupil referral units in England, including pupil movement Guidance for maintained schools, academies, and pupil referral units in England July 2022

NAPCE responded to a DfE consultation on behaviour and exclusions in February.

Following that consultation the DFE published new guidance in July.

The new document looks at the value of ensuring that “the new children and young people are protected from disruption and can learn and thrive in a calm, safe, and supportive environment”.

It explains that the purpose of the guidance is to “provide schools and other bodies involved in this process with information so that they can continue to use suspensions and permanent exclusions appropriately”.

It is also recognised that “permanent exclusions will sometimes be necessary as a last resort to maintain this environment”.

The following is a list of updates:

• Headteachers may cancel an exclusion that has not been reviewed by the governing board. This practice is sometimes known as withdrawing/rescinding a suspension or permanent exclusion. If this occurs, parents, the governing board and the local authority should be notified, and if relevant, the social worker and VSH. Further information of other actions that should take place after an exclusion is cancelled is set out in paragraph 13.
• When headteachers suspend or permanently exclude a pupil they must, without delay, notify parents. Legislative changes mean that if a pupil has a social worker, or if a pupil is looked-after, the headteacher must now, also without delay after their decision, notify the social worker and/or VSH, as applicable.
• When headteachers suspend or permanently exclude a pupil, they must also notify the local authority, without delay. Legislative changes mean that this must be done regardless of the length of a suspension.
• Guidance on the role of a social worker and VSH, during governing board meetings and IRP meetings.
• Guidance on managed moves, what they are and how they should be used. • Clarified guidance on the use of off-site direction5 as a short-term measure that can be used as part of a school’s behaviour management strategy.
• Further guidance on the practice of involving pupils so that any excluded pupil is enabled and encouraged to participate at all stages of the suspension or 5 Section 29A Education Act 2002. The legal requirements and statutory guidance relating to this power are set out in guidance on alternative provision: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/alternative-provision 9 permanent exclusion process, considering their age and ability to understand.
• Guidance for governing boards to ensure that they review data to consider the level of pupil moves and the characteristics of pupils who have been permanently excluded to ensure the sanction is only used, when necessary, as a last resort.

The updated guidance applies form 1st September 2022 and the document can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1089688/Suspension_and_Permanent_Exclusion_guidance_July_2022.pdf

EVENT: NAPCE Proud to Support National Conference on Child Protection in Education on September 27th

National Conference on Child Protection in Education on September 27th

NAPCE is attending the 2022 Conference on Child Protection in Education which takes place at Earl’s Court London on Tuesday 27th September.

Our team will be delivering a workshop on developing a positive safeguarding culture at the event.

National Chair Phil Jones and NAPCE safeguarding expert Luke Ramsden will be leading the workshop, which will explore how effective pastoral care can develop a positive culture for learning and provide children and young people with a positive and safe learning environment to support them in achieving their full potential.

NAPCE will have an exhibition at the Conference where there will be an opportunity to find out more about the support available to delegates who share our belief that supporting the personal development and wellbeing of learners is a vital part of their educational experience.

National Secretary of NAPCE Jill Robson and Anne Jones, our Admininstrator will be available to answer your questions and give more information about the work of NAPCE.

The Conference is organised by Optimus Education and details can be found here: https://www.childprotectionineducation.com

It takes place at the ILEC Conference Centre in Earls Court, London.

This is the 18th year of this important national child protection conference.

NAPCE is pleased to be supporting the event which provides an opportunity to network with leading educational lawyers, practitioners, and experts, unpack the Department for Education advice and guidance and take away proven strategies and resources to implement and evidence compliant child protection procedures and an outstanding school-wide safeguarding culture.

If you are attending the Conferenc, please take the opportunity to come and talk to the NAPCE on our stand.

“Staying up to date with KCSIE responsibilities and learning the lessons that strengthen our child protection practices and multi-agency working has never been more crucial. Spotting the signs, empowering our young people to make disclosures, and ensuring outstanding relationships and cultures in our schools is vital.” – Optimus Education Conference Brochure (2022)

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