International expert helps schools build community links
Headteachers from all over Warwickshire will be learning how to make better links with their local communities this week.
Heads and representatives from schools across the county will be given advice on building community relations by an international expert in the subject.
George Otero, founder and co-president of the Center for Relational Learning in Santa Fe in New Mexico, will give his insight as part of the Warwickshire Futures programme.
Organised by Warwickshire County Council, the two-day conference will look at the new emphasis on schools being at the centre of community activity. The conference runs on 18 and 19 May at Staverton Park, Daventry.
Schools will work with local partners, including other schools, local authorities, health, police and the voluntary sector to offer a number of different services on their site.
Dr Otero will focus on how schools can focus on building learning communities by bringing parents, community workers, children and teaching professionals together.
He will explore the ways that headteachers can take on these new challenges, promote “community dialogue” and develop their leadership skills.
BBC Midlands Today and Inside Out presenter Ashley Blake will also give his perspective on how important community matters are.
Warwickshire Futures co-ordinator Sue Herdman, of the council’s Educational Development Service, said: “While schools are not expected to run all these new services themselves they will be at the heart of them and that will bring a set of new challenges. This conference will help schools understand how they can widen their horizons and build on the work they are already carrying out with their communities.
“Warwickshire Futures has been running for two years and has run a number of events that given heads and teachers the tools to develop their leadership skills. Part of the challenge is getting all the different partners together and actually talking together, and this conference gives advice on how to achieve that.”
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