About the event

In this digital event, we explored the Community Schools Model, where the school is both a place, and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. 

Schools across Wales with an interest in the Community School approach were invited to register for the event, to learn from schools and teachers in Wales who have already implemented some best practice in this area, as well as charities and international experts in the field. 

Guest speakers explored a range of topics within the Community Schools theme, as well as sharing experiences of study visits to Florida and New York as a part of British Council Wales' International Professional Learning Communities.

Topics included: 

  • Introducing the Community Schools Model
  • Multi-agency partnerships
  • Parental and family engagement
  • Health and wellbeing within community schools

This was a panel event, with speakers from Wales and the USA followed by questions from the audience. You can find out more about the speakers below.

You can watch the event via the link to Vimeo above and the presentations from the event are here: 

  • Presentation: Dr Joanne Ferrara (Adobe PDF 874KB)
  • Presentation: Lindsey Watkins (Adobe PDF 5MB)
  • Presentation: Dr Suzanne Sarjeant & Julie Jenkins (Adobe PDF 2MB)
  • Presentation: Karen Tuck (Adobe PDF 76KB)

    • Dr JoAnne Ferrara – Manhattanville College USA

    Dr. JoAnne Ferrara is an experienced educator specialising in community schools and university partnerships. Her work focuses on building the capacity of individuals working in these settings.

    Lindsey Watkins – Millbrook Primary School

    Lindsey Watkins is the headteacher at Millbrook Primary in Newport. The school has adopted the community school approach for over a decade, following a study visit to New York with the British Council. The school focusses on the belief that to support the child effectively we must support our families, and that to support families effectively, the school must support and embrace our community. 

    Dr Suzanne Sarjeant and Julie Jenkins – Pencoed Primary School

    Dr Suzanne Sarjeant, the headteacher at Pencoed Primary School has recently completed her PhD in parental and family engagement. Julie Jenkins is the school’s family engagement officer. The school has a particular focus on parental and family engagement, where parents are used as advocates within the community through their Family Forum and Sunshine Club. 

    Sam Greasley – Awel y Môr Primary School

    Awel y Môr Primary School’s headteacher, Sam Greasley, has embedded health and wellbeing in his school through the community schools approach. Engaging with external agencies, such as school councillors and speech therapists has ensured learners’ health and wellbeing is prioritised. 

    Karen Tuck – Tylorstown Primary School

    Improving the relationships between staff, parents and families has been a priority for Tylorstown Primary School.  Karen Tuck, the school’s headteacher, has broken down barriers through the use of a family engagement officer, developing pre-school links, supporting parents and families with external agencies and providing workshops and collaborative projects with the aim to engage and empower parents and families to actively participate with the school and community. 

    The event took place on Tuesday 27 April 2021. We'd really like to know what you thought of the event. You can let us know by filling out our feedback form
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