Contributing to increased progress in pupil's achievements

 

• The work of the PSA is embedded and written in the school improvement plan. Ensure parents and pupils know how to access the support of the school learning mentors. Mandy Thorpe, Somerset PSA
• Support for pupils to be in school on time, bright eyed (tiredness is a huge issue to teachers) and well-prepared, working alongside parents to achieve this. Building self-esteem and confidence through one-to-one sessions and play-work alongside parents. Achievable targets for children working towards incentives, stickers etc to encourage. Help parents to value school and feel welcome, attend parents' evenings, understand what their child/children are trying to achieve and encourage them to have a positive attitude and use lots of praise. Encourage parents to access learning themselves as this often motivates children to achieve ore alongside their parents. Link with parents to ensure basic needs are met i.e. hearing tests, eye tests, effective head lice treatment etc. Have a good transition programme in place. Jenny Joslin, Somerset PSA  
• A boy was referred to me who was very unsettled and not making progress. I found his mum, a single parent working part-time, while also trying to take a full-time college course. Their small flat was chaotic – you wouldn’t believe the mess. Mum and son were sharing a bed and the boy had no space of his own. I had to spend a lot of time building up trust with the mum before I had the courage to say ‘You need to tidy up your flat.’ The mum seemed almost relieved to have it said but said ‘I don’t know how.’ I arranged to help her and got hold of a room divider to give the boy his own bed and space. I contacted families with boys to send in duvets etc. The mum has sent me a text saying ‘I’m so happy’ and the teacher says the boy is much more settled at school.”  Julie Mayo, PSA, The Glebe Infants School, North Somerset. 
• PSAs have run an anger management workshop for four teenage girls with behaviour problems (three of them PSA referrals). They have explored managing their anger through a range of creative activities. The girls are proud of their work and are looking forward to mounting an exhibition for their parents which will be the culmination of the course.  Corrina Wood, Family Services Manager and PSA Lead, Southern Brooks Community Partnership, Patchway, South Glos

 

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