VIEWS & OPINION NSPCC Number Day –


supporting vulnerable children Comment by KAREN WALKER, NSPCC Schools Service Manager


Children’s lives over the past year


have been turned upside due to the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic with many spending extended periods of time out of school and behind closed doors. The NSPCC’s Childline service has


heard from thousands of children who have found this time really challenging. Some have felt overwhelmed with home schooling and struggled to access their learning due to a lack of technology, whilst others have missed their friends and family, and many have seen their mental health deteriorate. The NSPCC and Childline adapted during the pandemic so our frontline


staff could continue to be here as a vital listening ear and as source of support for those children who felt like they had no- where else to turn. With most children now back at school, it remains vital that we are still


here to support those who are struggling with the impact that the pandemic has had on them. Although some will be really pleased to be back at school, others may be finding it difficult for many reasons and it’s essential those children get


the support they need. To help us be here for children and to remind them that Childline is a


source of support that they can turn to, we are encouraging schools across the country to get involved in the NSPCC’s Number Day. This annual fundraising day which is based around fun maths activities


will take place in primary and secondary schools across the country on 7th May in aid of the children’s charity. As part of day, schools can sign up to enjoy puzzles, games and


challenges which can be completed in Covid secure class bubbles whilst raising vital funds. The activities differ dependant on what key stage it is for and teachers


will also be provided with resources including information on supporting your school’s safeguarding and online safety quizzes suitable for children of all ages. This year the NSPCC has created a new game called Buddy’s Key


Challenge where pupils can complete maths puzzles to create a key which can unlock a door so the charity’s mascot Buddy can visit your school. After being stuck indoors for a long time, we hope Number Day will


provide children and teachers a fun filled educational day to look forward to. It’s now more essential than ever that children aren’t left alone, isolated


and unsupported with their worries and the money raised from Number Day will help the NSPCC in its mission to make 2021 a better year for children. To sign up, all you need to do is visit the NSPCC’s website and search


for Number Day and fill in your school’s details using the registration form. We also encourage all those schools interested in taking part to remind


their pupils that if there is anything that is worrying or upsetting them that Childline is here and that no worry is ever to small. Children can call Childline on 0800 111 or visit childline.org.uk for further help and support.


Adopting a community-centred teaching approach


Comment by REBECCA MEREDITH, CEO Transform Trust & Teaching School


The past 12 months has brought about many changes across all sectors, but for children, parents and teachers everywhere, it’s perhaps been one of the biggest shifts in change we have seen. Whilst there were initial feelings


of concern, remarkably, our staff and pupils adapted to periods of isolated learning from the start and, thanks to the support of our parents throughout, a true community-centred approach to teaching has been adopted. As schools have now resumed, our teachers have become much more


rounded individuals who, since March 2020, have had to create, navigate, and deliver a curriculum through a blend of remote and classroom-based lessons. Rewind the clock to Feb 2020 and video calls were predominantly


reserved for corporate UK, but today they are as much a part of school life as they are in business. However, it’s important to remember not every pupil has access, or the ability, or desire to study on a tablet, so physical worksheets have been an ongoing resource. The skills that teachers need today, and that have been harnessed due


to Covid-19, include being extremely mindful of cognitive overload. We have all seen many online ‘curriculum’ activity sheets packed with information and colour, that are far more complicated than they need to


24 www.education-today.co.uk


be. Having drawn research from all 19 of our schools, we know that drilling down on our understanding of exactly what our children need to know has enabled us to streamline our lesson designs, activities, worksheets and tests – whether that is taught in a classroom or online. As a National Teaching School (TSA), Transform is also responsible for


offering high-quality support to 48 member schools. Our TSA facilitators deliver over 40 fit-for-purpose CPD teaching programmes all designed to improve quality-first teaching and it has been so important for us and our teachers to keep these sessions going during these precarious times. Likewise, our work as senior leaders with our partners (School Direct partnership with the University of Nottingham and Derby, the East Midlands West Maths Hub www.emwest.co.uk, the Derby City Research School. Inspiring Leaders, an organisation consisting of 5 outstanding Teaching schools and partners licensed to deliver NPQH, NPQSL, NPQML and NPQEL and nationally recognised peer review network, Challenge Partners), has been equally important for us to maintain for the sustainability of Trust and the sector as well as staying true to our vision and values. Covid-19 has caused much distress and heartache but within our Trust


we try and look at the many opportunities it has also afforded. Our community outreach has improved beyond our dreams – with our parents and wider community taking an activity role in our pupil’s education and formative years. Our social media networks have grown throughout this year and this has continued since we’ve been all been back in the classroom. Twitter has become increasingly popular for our teachers wanting to share successful learning and pupil engagement, and it’s also become a sound platform for us to share our school-to-school support as well as our education- and community-based partnerships. Our pupils – particularly in Key Stage Two – have given us invaluable


feedback on what and how they wish to learn and that has spurred their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. Together, we have all decided we will no longer refer to home-learning as homework! These are outcomes that we never expected to achieve in such a torrid twelve months – and we will use these experiences to enhance our quality first learning for every pupil.


April 2021


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