8 December 2009
Kath Wright, 14-19 strategy adviser for Essex, invited me along to the second student voice conference for schools in Colchester today. 34 students (Y10s and 11s) from 10 schools have been helping the schools to develop their CEIAG programmes. She had already told me about the first event in September when student ambassadors had helped students to think about what CEIAG is and what they could get out of work experience. Today, the students had the opportunity to contribute to the design of CEIAG programmes in schools across Colchester and to think about how to encourage other students to make better use of the help from Connexions. It was an action-packed day. Their teachers met to talk about the new IAG strategy and the principles of impartial careers education while the student ambassadors facilitated the group work. Damian Culhane, a parent and an NLP master practitioner, ran a very well-received session on self-presentation skills. Everyone (including the teachers!) learnt something. One boy observed that 'there are different types of handshake that I didn't know about'! Those students will be formidable at their next interviews! A final session for the group is planned in the New Year when the students will turn their attention to creating local labour market infomration that is accessible to young people. What I really liked about this initiative is that it shows how worthwhile it is to engage students in planning and evaluating their own learning. The aim is to develop a more consistent and responsive approach to CEIAG across Colchester. Congratulations to the organisers and to the Heads for backing it. Is anything like this happening anywhere else? Do let us know!
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Inspiring idea! I would love to share the event programme with CEIAG strategic leaders in Hertfordshire? Would it be possible to have a copy of the event plan please? I wonder if Hertfordshire got the idea some of the young people from Colchester could support our planning process? that would be neat!
good evening David
more than happy to discuss how we have started to take this forward. we have found it to be very powerful and is bringing the whole IAG community together.
kath
Hi David, Kath and I are writing the initiative up as a case study and I will get a copy to you as soon as possible!
Brilliant Anthony, thanks very much, looking forward to receiving another Christmas present! (Perhaps in January though!!!) Once I have the case study I'll speak to Kath about the experience.
What a fantastic idea - love it!
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Well done to the schools in Colchester - it shows partnership working at its best!