UJIA hosts 'School Ties' panel

'School Ties' -- some differing models of how external partners engage with schools, and lessons we might learn to maximise our impact in formal education.

On Wednesday 3 December 2008, UJIA will host a panel discussion looking at how different types of organisations work with schools, and the lessons for Jewish education.

Alastair Falk, UJIA's Director of Educational Leadership, arranged the session as part of UJIA'S continuous evaluation of its impact on Jewish schools in the U.K. The audience will also include a number of the senior educational professionals, part of a group, chaired by UJIA Research and Evaluation Director, Dr. Helena Miller.

The programme will start with a round table/panel discussion from 10.30-11.30am with the following people :

Mervyn Wilson / Principal and Chief Executive of the Co-operative College (www.co-op.ac.uk/aboutus.htm) His work includes oversight of the Co-op's sponsorship of some specialist schools and, most recently, he has been involved in developing new collaborative school models based around Trust schools. Like many Jewish organizations, the Co-op's work in schools is about promoting a clear set of values.

Ian McGimspey / Senior Manager of the education team at the RSA. (www.thersa.org.uk) RSA Education 'develops innovative, practical educational projects in response to the challenges faced by today's children' In particular, they have worked with schools on an innovative curriculum project called Opening Minds, which 'helps young people to learn practical life skills in a challenging world'.. It is now being used in over 200 schools across the country (www.openingminds.org.uk/WhatisOM.html)

Lily Lapena /Runs a small but powerful social enterprise called mybnk (www.mybnk.org) (pronounced 'my bank) It helps set up youth led banking schemes in schools, run by pupils, allowing them to save and take out interest free loans to set up social enterprises. Lily recently received the prestigious Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award and, her work demonstrates how to build trust and confidence within some very challenging schools.

Mick Quigley / Principal Inspector with the London Borough of Barnet's Education Services.. Mick spent ten years as a headteacher before taking up his current post as Principal Inspector for the Children's Service in Barnet. Mick plays a key role in the interaction between the Local Authority and schools building on the governments policy of a 'New Relationship with Schools'.

Following this discussion, the group will look at an example of connecting schools -- and teachers - virtually, based around a site called rafi.ki (http://rafi.ki/) Rafi.ki is an online learning community using simple technology to build successful school partnerships between schools across the globe. This session will be led by Henry Warrren, rafi.ki's founder and CEO.