Supporting Schools with Business Operations

An article in the news last week reported on a survey of 1000 primary teachers finding that 49% thought that school readiness among reception aged children had declined over the past year. Teachers have been reporting children arriving at school with under developed muscles and without basic motor skills, with as many as one in four who are not toilet trained.

The SBL in me will say that it is not the role of a mainstream school to teach children how to use the toilet, look at a book, sit quietly on a carpet, climb stairs or take off their own coat, but I'm also not going to leap on the usual bandwagon and blame the parents.

Being a parent is hard work and there is no training or useful manual to tell it like it is. No one tells you what to expect, or how to navigate screentime, mealtimes or bedtime routines. Yes, there are ideals to aspire to...everything fresh and home-cooked, tea-bath-book-bed by 7pm, the one-hour-a-day screentime rule... but are they achievable when both parents have had a long day at work, or (worse) when they have been trapped in the house all day with their offspring?

In my view, there are a number of important enablers needed to raise a child and make up a community. 

1. The Church. It's not a coincidence that there is an accessible church, within walking distance, in nearly every residential area in the country, from the smallest village to the biggest city. I think (perhaps controversially) that we should use these buildings, and leaders, as they were originally intended - as a local hub to celebrate and support birth, life, death, and every struggle in between.
2. The School. The local school, and the wider role it plays, needs to be recognised and funded as a vital part of the community, and support for families. Otherwise, we'll reach a point where we're just sending all the 4-year-olds to the nearest town, or city centre. Every child should have equality in their education, wherever they access it.
3. The Healthcare Practitioner - Every family needs someone, not necessarily medically qualified, who knows their circumstances, knows their history, and can point them in the direction of relevant physical, mental and social healthcare when they need it.
4. The Family - As work separates generations, we lose that extended family support which passes on parenting skills and offers child care. Nurseries and funded places support the child, but there is no support for the parents.

I've got an answer.

I'd like to see a Family Support Worker in every community. The cost of which is shared between churches, schools, healthcare and councils. All working together to ensure parents and children are supported throughout their journey to adulthood. Helping children be ready for, and getting the most out of, school, identifying any special needs (of parents and children) and helping them to support others, and remain in their community.

I'm guessing you're going to give me loads of reasons why this won't work, that's great - lets start a conversation at least. And if you have another idea - I'm listening - because what we've currently got isn't working - for anyone.

Have a great week.

Emma

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