Working With Others is supporting a growing number of Secondary Schools and academies across East and West Sussex as well as nationally.  Many have been prompted to explore how the approach can support their students and staff because of the significant impact of WWO in their feeder Primary schools.

A consistency of approach to group organisation, group work and student relationships has been found to support and help students feel safe as they adjust to the challenges of mixing in a bigger environment.  Used in form time, PSHCE and across a range of curriculum areas, the Working With Others approach in secondary settings is a realistic and practical way of enhancing PLTs (personal, learning thinking skills) by encouraging positive student relationships and promoting pro-social skills and behaviour in a climate of tolerance and respect. In fostering greater trust and safety with enhanced communication skills, lessons become more productive and engaging for students.

With larger secondary schools and bigger staff teams, roll out of the Working With Others programme is usually staggered and initially focused on year 7 tutors, who then implement the approach in form time and PSHCE lessons.  As practitioner confidence and experience builds, this effective groupwork approach is then taken to other curriculum areas and year groups.

In subsequent years ongoing Working With Others support continues for tutors as their form groups move up the school, whilst initial training begins with tutors responsible for new year 7 students.

Whole staff training can re-energise staff, develops a consistent approach across the school and has been used successful for both students and staff teams.

For secondary schools we recommend either our WWO Essentials Course and Embedding training package, and for those that form part of a larger group we also offer more Network related activities that enable the whole staff team to meet on a more regular, local basis.

To find out more or book a meeting please contact Dr Cathy Ota on 0781 7363193 or email cathy@cathyota.com