Last Friday I attended the STEAM strategy launch. This was a high-profile event at the Google offices in Pancras Square with speeches from the leader of Camden Council, Cllr Georgia Gould and Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London. The launch was a drive for local business to pledge to provide work experience and apprenticeship opportunities, work with teachers in the STEAM hub and to encourage staff to become STEAM ambassadors to deliver career activities in schools. The Camden STEAM approach has attracted some international attention, with visitors from the Balkans and Jamaica, and a strong commitment of funding from Camden Council to ensure that Camden young people benefit from living in the borough where the knowledge quarter sits. There is an ambition that all Camden schools will benefit from this work. You can read more about this pledge and how to access the opportunities provided here.
Last week also saw the meeting of Camden and Islington Global Majority Governors. This is a joint group of Camden and Islington school Governors working together to improve the diversity of Governing boards. There was much discussion here over the systemic issues facing young people from UK minority ethnic communities and what is being done to address this. They were interested to hear about the Social Justice Leadership offer to Camden school leaders and Governors led by Professor Paul Miller. There are places on sessions through to July, and all Camden Headteachers and Governors are encouraged to sign up to one as part of our ongoing strategy to challenge inequality and take an actively anti racist approach.
Again, schools are facing the disruption of the NEU strikes next week, this time with two consecutive days affected. Deciding if and how a school can stay safely open is a decision that rests with each school and we will support your best judgement on this. However, we ask that you again let us know of the planned status of your school on both March 15 and 16 by completing this short form to help inform our overall understanding of the situation in Camden on the day.
Our face to face Headteacher meetings are also fast approaching on 22 March (Secondary) and 23 March (Primary) I look forward to seeing you there.
Enjoy the weekend!
Stephen Hall
Chief Executive Officer, Camden Learning
