Spotlight On: Emanuel’s long-standing partnership with Falconbrook Primary School
Lisa Irwin, head of community partnerships and outreach at Emanuel School, explains how a multi-pronged partnership with a local primary school is providing enriching opportunities for staff and pupils across several year groups.
We work with 32 partner schools in our local area. All have high numbers of children qualifying for free school meals (FSM) – the average is 46 per cent, with some partners exceeding 80 per cent. All of our programmes are needs driven; we actively liaise with our partners to explore needs and look for areas where we can work together for mutual benefit and impact. We endeavour to have multiple touch points with our partners; one-off activities can be great, but a multi-pronged approach has the most significant impact.
Falconbrook Primary, with 65 per cent of their cohort on FSM, is a great example. Falconbrook has actively participated in our Primary Ambitions programme since its inception five years ago. They send their Year 6 cohort – all 30 pupils – to us every Friday afternoon to engage in a variety of enrichment activities. This year alone they have participated in sessions on comedy and masks, tropical rainforests, debating, maths, Spanish, orienteering, and science. This programme is invaluable to us as our lower sixth develop leadership and presentation skills, team working and community links. Meanwhile, Falconbrook’s children are exposed to new ideas, experiences and relationships.
In addition to Primary Ambitions, Falconbrook sends Year 5 children to our summer Saturday morning academic programme. This initiative provides added support for those who need it and stretch for children who would benefit from additional challenge. Our staff have the opportunity to engage with primary school children from our local community, which they love; our pupils act as teaching assistants and gain invaluable experience. The Falconbrook children gain confidence and develop new skills, and the impact on academic results has been positive.
Addressing a need for reading support at Falconbrook, we provide parent volunteer readers – many of whom are former teachers – on a weekly basis. Two of these volunteers have been appointed as governors at the school, demonstrating their dedication and commitment. Our senior deputy head is also a governor, and spearheads Falconbrook’s curriculum and learning group. She is actively involved in all aspects of the school.
Numerous events throughout the year bring our schools together. Falconbrook attends our annual maths quiz, our hosted CWISL literary quiz, author visits, plays and musical performances, and participates in Field Week – this year, they will be making a film in a day and taking part in a print-making workshop.
The partnership also extends to sporting activities; Falconbrook participates in our Year 4 termly football tournaments, supporting the development of teamwork skills and enhancing pupils’ football abilities. We also provide weekly swimming lessons with coaches and a lifeguard for Year 6 pupils for 33 weeks across the year, enabling children to develop this invaluable life skill.
Our relationship impacts multiple pupil groups across both schools. Our Year 9s and 10s work with Falconbrook pupils through the Ascent programme and Field Week. Our Year 12s facilitate the Primary Ambitions initiative. Our staff, parents, alumni, and pupils are all involved.
The power of this partnership is reflected in the following testimonial from Falconbrook:
The children at Falconbrook Primary School continue to thoroughly enjoy their Primary Ambitions programme. As their teacher, witnessing the growth and enthusiasm of my Year 6 children has been truly amazing. From the engaging activities to the collaborative environment, the programme has exceeded our expectations in every aspect.
One of the standout features of the Primary Ambitions programme has been the opportunity for our children to work alongside Emanuel students. This partnership has been invaluable, not only providing mentorship and guidance but also fostering meaningful connections. Our Year 6 children have thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with Emanuel students, finding inspiration and encouragement in their peers.
The various topics offered within the programme, including the debating, Spanish and maths, have been incredibly engaging for our children. These sessions have provided a platform for our children to explore new interests and develop essential skills. Whether it's engaging in lively debates, mastering a new language, or solving challenging mathematical problems, our students have embraced these opportunities with enthusiasm and determination.
What has been particularly impressive has been the emphasis on challenging our children to step out of their comfort zones. Through a diverse range of activities and modules, our students have been encouraged to try new things and push their boundaries. This has not only expanded their horizons but also instilled in them a sense of confidence and resilience.
Furthermore, the programme has fostered a culture of collaboration and teamwork among our children. Through a variety of activities, they have learned the importance of working together towards a common goal. This collaborative spirit has not only enriched their learning experience but also prepared them for future endeavours.
Week after week, they eagerly anticipate the sessions, keen to dive into new challenges and opportunities. We couldn't be more pleased with the impact the programme has had on our children, and we look forward to seeing their continued growth and success.
