nicolamurton’s blog

• A another set of questions for my AI
• An Action Inquiry to develop the awareness of the aims of Every Child Matters in my school and therefore a better understanding of my role as Learning Mentor.
• or
• An Action Inquiry that will improve the way that I can prioritise my workload by improving the awareness of Every Child Matters within my school.
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How can I improve the understanding of the aims of Every Child Matters within my school?
• How can I implement an effective referral sheet that can be used to help to recognise children at risk within the school

 How will I use the referral sheets to manage my case load more effectively?

How will it help me to be able to prioritise my caseloads as a result of staff understanding the aims of Every Child Matters?

How will staff feel about having to monitor the well-being of the children in their classes?

How can I ensure that the introduction of referral sheets will ensure  the well-being of children is being met whilst in school?

 POSSIBLE QUESTIONS FOR AI

• An action Inquiry to ensure that staff develop a better understanding of the aims of Every Child Matters and therefore gain a better understanding of  my role as Learning Mentor.

• An action Inquiry to ensure that my school is able to identify children not meeting the aims of Every Child Matters and therefore gain a better understanding of  my role as Learning Mentor.

• An action Inquiry to ensure that my school is able to identify children not meeting the aims of Every Child Matters.

 POSSIBLE TITLES FOR MY AI

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/   I have found an enormous of potential research papers on this site but they all have to be paid for, so now need to try and locate some of them on evision or through the local library as i was only able to read the abstract section.

Excerpt from chat on 1 october 2008

Nicola Murton[21:31:53]: I struggling with my AI question and also which research to focus on

Sue Napier[21:33:53]: Think we are all there Nic re this AI.....Wern't you looking at: An AI on promoting ECM to promote my role of Learning Mentor....

Nicola Murton[21:33:53]: possibly working with teachers promoting good practice? was the suggestion of my Line Manager

Sue Napier[21:35:55]: An action Inquiry into developing my relationship with staff from the perspective of my Learning Mentor role...........

Sam Jeeves[21:36:22]: That sounds good Sue

Nicola Murton[21:41:25]: I was thinking that as I do lots with extended school and mentoring then i am aware that staff know about ECM but do not necessarily understand it , as a consequence do they realise what I am triying to do or why I am even in school.  I thought (and this was mentioned in my School Action plan), that if i produce this ppt and then show it firstly to a pilot staff,then introduce a referral form that highlights the outcomes, it will firstly make them understand, then possibly not refer straight away, it will build more of a picture prior to me getting the children and will there fore make my job more accountable and more able to prioritise the children,  however after them trialling the first form then I can ask them for their thoughts and make changes as required.  WHAT DO YOU THINK!!

Nicola Murton[21:43:39]: Sue like the question- does that fit in with what I have written adn do you think that that makes an Action Inquiry?

Sue Napier[21:44:16]: so can you use my tittle or along similar lines, and cycle 1 is do PPT and get feedback and then use this data to decide on cycle 2 which could be new referral form...but this may be but cannot say will do this as pre-empts cycle 2 Nic

Sue Napier[21:45:06]: I think it does as the personal development is to improve your relationship with other staff as an LM

Nicola Murton[21:48:03]: but if i show the ppt as cycle one and then ask them if they say yes they understand and dont think a form of any sort would work isnt that my ai finished!!  I thought that the ppt could actually be an introduction to them?

Sam Jeeves[21:48:16]: i think it work, may need to re word it a little bit thou im not sure

Sue Napier[21:49:13]: ok Nic, see what you mean...so PPT would be preperation work as my prep may be to set up folders to put resources in which I will then do as AI

Sam Jeeves[21:49:33]: it may end that, in which case i dont think you can adapt or make more of it so it may mean that ur ai comes to an end rather quick, can you not adapt it slightly incase this happens?

Sam Jeeves[21:50:21]: that would make more sense sue

Nicola Murton[21:51:17]: yes and then intro a record for them to tick if they feel a child is not meeting the outcome - then ask them after two weeks for the forms back- if they empty why? wa s it time, are all children ok etc and then plan next cycle tweak etc before rolling out to staff as main AI

Sam Jeeves[21:51:43]: yer that sounds good nic

Nicola Murton[21:52:01]: yes sam that is my concern where do i go after that and how is that improving my practice.

Sue Napier[21:52:11]: Tim mentioned a cycle being only a week if possible Nic.....as need to get in min 2 cycles

Nicola Murton[21:52:48]: oh yes can do that ok that would be better just concerned where and what i am trying to achieve

Nicola Murton[21:53:03]: and what is the research that i should be looking at

Sue Napier[21:54:39]: reserach on developing professional relationships. research on the role of an LM

Nicola Murton[21:55:09]: oh sue i love you!!

Sue Napier[21:55:12]: I wonder if Senges Schools that learn may help??

Nicola Murton[21:55:24]: senges schools what is that

Sue Napier[21:56:07]: also Cohen et al on research METHODS IN EDUCATION....sorry finger slipped......may have something useful

Sue Napier[21:56:45]: Senge is the author. Title is Schools that learn...I have a copy....my summer reading ....not done!!!

Sue Napier[21:58:44]: I must go to bed very soon girls...are any of these ideas any good?

Nicola Murton[21:58:50]: Questions:  how do i envisage my workload will change or benefit from ensuring staff fully understand ecm?                                        2.  how will staff feel about being asked to monitor childrens well being.    3     not sure

Sam Jeeves[22:00:33]: would "How do i envisage my workload being effected by ensuring staff fullly understanf ECM?? sound better????????

•              Have you become more competent in the workplace?

•              Have others noticed?

•              What has changed?

•              Have you improved as a 'worker', given your research and learning.

•              Have your expectations changed? Do others expect more from you?

Is any of the above relevant to your future research?

Activity 2 Review changes in relevant workplace competencies, standards and expectations since beginning the course. Identify what you need to know now for your work.

Learning Set task 2: Discuss changes within your workplace in the last twelve months. How is this affecting your job and research? Consider how the changes and developments in your job match with the areas you have identified that you want to develop further.

Changes include new Headteacher-   he is pro active to ECm AGENDAS, PEOPLE AND CHILDREN friendly.  V supportive towards my degree.  Understands the importance of parental involvement and every child matters agenda and keen to support any training that encourages staff to recognise this.

Disability Act 2008 -  affects the school in acceptance of all into school, visitors parents, staff and children   - had to be in place by 2008. Indirectly affects me as some of the children I work with have learning difficulties.

Extended Schools   updated 2007  ‘Extended schools are a key vehicle for delivering the Government’s objective of lifting children out of poverty and improving outcomes for them and their families’  extended schools building on experience june 2007department for schools children and families  as on http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk accessed 30 september 2008

Core offers   Parent support, varied menu of activities, need to provide children centres by 2010

Every child matters is key to Ofsted agendas and so is high profile.

8 -A key area for schools is Every Child Matters- how does this tie in with inclusion and how sanctions for children

Quote taken from page 10 8 - REFLECTION IN THE WORK SETTING 2 Module CB230008S/D

SID NUMBER: 0611612   18 November 2007

In order to identify single loop and double loop learning, it is necessary tounderstand what outcome I am looking to achieve, as Argyris (1999 p.69) suggests single loop learning “….gets the everyday  job done”,  whereas double loop learning will in this case allow me to impose sanctions that will be acceptable to staff, parents and other pupils   pg 13  reflection in the work setting 2 module cb230008s  sid no 0611612

When looking at outcomes for the families I deal with, I no longer look for quick fixes, - one of the problems that can occur with the number of children that I see. I want to look at long term issue, result of double loop learning rather than single loop as in Year 1

My role is established in school by all.  This is an improvement to year 1 when I was still trying to make my mark against a clicky environment that didn’t want children to miss lessons.

Learning Methods How do we learn -  courses  - see vox,com for info on courses attended

Competent  - what makes some one competent- confidence, experience, effective time management, monitoring. Commitment, knowledgable, willing to learn

Informal learning – formal learning

Have my expectations changed. -  yes want to be listened to – have a voice at staff meetins, not afraid to speak, policies such as every child matters have meaning and understanding – can reflect and understand how to implement them, not afraid now to speak out about them.  Able to use ict to enforce my literature and monitoring and evaluation systems

Result – more children are being sent to me – do staff value my work or is the cohort of children needing my help rising.   

Relevancy -  my own knowledge of ECm has led me to recognise that isn’t the case with all staff. In order to improve mentoring, monitoring evaluation and prioritising the children, then feel that I need to make staff more aware.

any changes to numeracy and literacy standards do not impact on my role as i amnot classroom based, my roles is pastoral.

thoughts on workplace changes

ACTIVITY 1 -  level 1 and 2 learning.

Had a chat with my Line Manager and W.A -  ,  parenting is a huge area and not sure how I could make that a small change or how it demonstrated change to my practice.  

We discussed the every child matters , at first she wasn.t sure whethe that would work as an Action Inquiry because she didnt feel i was asking the right question.. On further discussion, l think it is an area that is increasingly important in my role. I also believe that in order to be able to support the children, all staff need to be aware of the aims of ECM, So by showing staff my presentation this will in turn allow me to introduce a monitorng system. 

SHe agreed that it was an area that we need to improve on particularly with OFsted  due,  she also felt that the key to making this an Action Inquiry was ensuring that the Question was effective.

I now need to search for research to ensure that this can be my focus.  Not sure which idrection this follows; monitoring, evaluation, safe guarding children.

Year 3

IDEAS FOR AI.

Areas for consideraton are;

parent involvement - or rather lack of it.  the children I work with  are very often the ones whose parents do not get involved in the school life of their children. I feel strongly that we do not do enough to encourage them into the school, having said that our new Head seems keen to change that.  . If I can improve the imvolvement of parents and make them understand how important their childrens education is, then will that in turn improve behaviour  and results and social behaviour..  Comparing parents that are involved and those that are not and then asking those that are not listen to their children read for two weeks every night.However how does that change my practice or improve my practice?

Every Child Matters -  this is a huge part of my role. I am concerned that we are not meeting the aims fully, staff do not always have the knowledge or understanding,  neither do we have a system in place to monitor concerns. 

I have written a presentation, which I am showing to  staff.  I want to introduce a form to classes to monitor and refer children meeting outcomes. This will in turn highlight children we have concerns about,  possible intro to breakfast club, refer parents to support if needed, meet ofsted requirements.  With regard to my practice this wil ensure that monitoring and evaluation is effective and up to date.  I could also introduce the presentation to a number of parents as a way of them understanding my role?   Not sure what research is available and what i woulld look for. possible monitoring and evaluation

Change of plan- have had some really chats last couple of days with my LF and also reseachers particularly Sue so back to drawing board
Title is An Action Inquiry  to structure my day to ensure that mentoring takes priority

Questions

Will staff acknowledge the priority I have given to mentoring by taking into account the issues that stop me from fulfilling my mentoring role

How will restructuring my day ensure that mentoring takes place?

Book is Supporting the new agenda for
children’s services and schools:
the role of learning mentors and
co-ordinators