On Tuesday evening, members of the Somali community, Camden Learning and Council officers came together for the planned education workshop, which was a full programme of contributions from young people, head teachers and representatives from the Somali community.  The aim of the session was to firstly, use data alongside lived experience to understand the Somalian communities experience of the education system in Camden and, furthermore, to use this information to identify where the community, parents, schools, the council and other key agencies can support solutions that can be developed in to a plan of action for ensuring Somalian young people are able to achieve and progress in the Camden education system.

During the first part of the workshop, young people spoke eloquently about their experiences in school, in the community itself and their own ambitions. The exceptional Kathy Bannon and James Hadley spoke about how they work with the Somali community in their schools, their expectations and ambitions, with James also touching on the importance of the behaviour policy and the policy/process for exclusion. The second part of the workshop focused on a ‘data safari’ with Camden Learning leading on four elements including, education and achievement, attendance and exclusions, exclusion process and managed moves and mental health and wellbeing.  Data was presented in a pacey manner, leaving time for key questions to be posed to groups to discuss and respond to.

Feedback from the session was very positive with Yusuf Deerow, the SYDRC Chair quoting, ‘I wish to thank you all for your assistance and endeavour to put on a workshop that was extremely passionate and productive with a positive energy and attitude…… The feedback from the community has been wholly constructive and upbeat’.  Clearly, the next step is to capture the agreed actions and next steps and get on with the implementation stage.

On Thursday evening, the annual Eleanor Palmer Teach Meet event took place, where 120 visiting teachers from Camden and neighbouring boroughs, were treated to an education feast of 27 table activities to choose from. Inspiring teachers and leaders shared innovative bite sized ideas, tried and tested in Camden classrooms and then showcased at the Teach Meet.  This is one of the highlights of my year and I thoroughly enjoy listening to our passionate teachers, share their pedagogical nuggets of gold with colleagues, some take away highlights for me included Robin and Mirelle from Primrose Hill sharing the Reading Challenge, Victoria from Netley and the Estimation Station and Abi from Gospel Oak and her maths fact cards. It is such a great event, something for Camden to be very proud of and I would like to extend an enormous thanks to Kate Frood and Eleanor Palmer for hosting another first class event.

Please find attached the slides from the Primary Breakfast briefing held this week.