Deprived white boys benefit from teaching technique
Working With Others, a spin out company from the University of Brighton
Press Release August 2007
White boys from deprived areas and backgrounds are among the many pupils benefiting from a new approach to improving educational and social attainment created by Working With Others, a successful spin out company from the School of Education at the University of Brighton.
This is at the same time as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reported that white British boys are performing worse at school than any other ethnic group. So why does this programme work?
“Our proven and successful approach engages all pupils as active participants in their own learning, by giving them a voice that they know is heard and at the same time the ability to listen to what others have to say.” Commented Cathy Ota, Managing Director of Working With Others.
She continued: “We work closely with the whole school staff team to help each class develop a shared understanding and a set of ground rules that helps every pupil to feel safe, recognise their right to be part of class and have a role in the class learning as a group and as individuals.
“With this approach, children are able to extend their communication skills and take on greater personal responsibility. This helps them to resolve problems in a safe, supportive and positive environment - key life skills they need for the future in work and adult life."
Headteacher, Mary Westhead at St Thomas’ Primary School in Hastings, is one of many WWO participating schools who report a marked improvement: “WWO has enabled a group of disaffected young boys from a local housing estate to become engaged, motivated in their work and interested in being at school.”
Since 2004 Working With Others has trained over 1,250 teachers, more than 1,250 teaching assistants and supported in excess of 27,000 pupils. There are currently over 100 schools in Sussex signed up for WWO membership. Enquiries are already being received from schools in Kent, Surrey, South London and WWO will soon to be available in other parts of the country.
For further information contact:
Dr Cathy Ota
Managing Director
Working With Others
Maritime House
Basin Road North
Hove BN41 1WR
E: cathy.ota@workingwithothers.org
T: 01273 704918 / 0781 7363193
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