Celebrating Success

On Wednesday 13th July children, young people, parents, schools, providers all came together to celebrate the success of Balsall Heath Extended Schools Cluster. First formed in 2006, the cluster has gone from strength to strength and has been recognized over the years by achieving a number of National Quality Awards.

“The evening was an opportunity to hear and see first hand what was involved in coordinating the cluster and the performance by children and praise from schools and providers were a testament to the success we achieved together.” (Alison Moore Extended Schools Cluster Co-ordinator)

Children from Heath Mount entertained us with African Drumming. They have been working together after school for a number of weeks. Parents from Heath Mount prepared food they had learnt to prepare at a recent ‘Food and Mood’ course funded by the cluster. Many of us went up for second helpings. The cluster has successfully delivered the My Choice programme across the cluster and 675 children have been able to access services.

We were treated to a photo gallery display depicting all of the last five years and provider, and schools spoke about how much of the work will be continuing across the cluster. Young people from Moseley School explained how their involvement in planning and organising last years summer school gave them confidence and has inspired them all to run it again this summer.
Lyn Reynolds, Extended Services Co-ordinator for the local authority brought the celebration to a close by thanking everyone for all their time, commitment and dedication and cutting the cake.

Although the funding from local government and the local authority has now ended for cluster work the partnerships and development work will be continuing and the first meeting of the new partnership committee will be in September (date to be confirmed).

When starting to write this opening paragraph I was reminded of the first Newsletter the cluster produced that aimed to introduce Extended Schools to the community. The Department for Education & Schools (2004) described it as “schools recognising that they cannot work alone, in helping children and young people to achieve their potential” and acknowledging the need to work in partnership with other agencies that “have an interest in outcomes for children and young people, and with the local community”.

Balsall Heath Extended School Cluster has achieved this and more since it’s conception in 2006. Through hard work and commitment the Cluster was recognised in October 2010 as an Enhanced Cluster, with a National Quality Award and had previously been successful with National Awards for it’s work with Girls in the Community and Citizenship in 2007 and 2008. We were able to achieve this with the help and support of schools, partners and importantly children, young people and families, who together have ensured that the community of Balsall Heath have had a wide range of opportunities made available to them, out side of the school day.

This event ‘Celebrating Success’ was an opportunity for us all to come together and see just a small selection of those activities and opportunities that have taken place over the last five years. To hear from some of the children, young people, parents, schools and partners about their experiences and what they have been able to achieve as a result of the partnership.