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Beckfoot Trust is an organisation that links a group of local Bradford schools together so that they can collectively improve the life chances for young people within their schools. Our aim is to create a group of truly remarkable schools each with a genuine comprehensive intake. They will be wonderful places for young people to learn and grow up in. We want to make a difference. We want to create something special.

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About Us

Schools Pandemic Recovery Virtual Workshops

November 19th 2021

Following the Summit that took place in March 2021 we created the Schools Pandemic Recovery Manifesto. Built upon the lived experience of our young people the Manifesto is the foundation for student voice across the city of Bradford. We are working together to make our city a place where all belong and will thrive.

As next steps for the Schools Pandemic Recovery Summit Manifesto work, students from BDAT, Dixons, Exceed and Beckfoot Trusts will deliver issues workshops virtually via Zoom on Friday November 19th to identifand plan targeted action in 2022. 

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The four workshops and the lead school are as follows: 

Time

Workshop Issue

Lead School supported by Citizens UK

9:00 – 10:30

 

Anti-racism

Dixons 

10:30 - 12:00

 

Mental Health

BDAT 

12:30 – 14:00

 

Poverty and disadvantage

Exceed

14:00 - 15:30

 

LGBTQ+ and student voice – lost opportunity

Beckfoot

 

Each 90-minute virtual workshop will offer students training on taking steps for change. This will include an example of good practice in school, how to turn a big problem into a specific issue, looking at who has the power to make a change and finally prioritising a practical solution students would like to see. 

Young people from the workshops will be supported by Citizens UK to work with civic influencers to bring the changes into action.  

Links have been formed with the Young in Covid 2 Team to share the lived experience and action plans and work collaboratively to support action by and for young people of Bradford.  

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Overview of each Virtual Workshop

Dixons - Anti Racism

We want to end racism in the city we love.

 

From listening to our students we have learnt more about how racism affects us and we know there is much to be done to raise awareness, look at how racism is addressed as well as encouraging different communities to come together.

 

We have identified 3 issues for us to discuss:

·        Tackling racism in schools and educating young people

·        Reporting racism and making sure it gets acted on

·        Exploring how we can make Bradford a less segregated place

 

We will plan practical solutions for these issues.

Read more here about the action we took next  Anti Racism - Dixon's Academy Trust

 

 

BDAT – Mental Health

Young people experience significant mental health pressures which have been increased through the pandemic. These are stories of isolation from one another whether in school, family or community.

Young people have told stories of suicides and the anxiety and questions these raise.

 

Mental health carries a stigma which makes it hard to speak about. This is something to change.

 

There is a lack of mental health support for young people. Young people have spoken about increasing the support services available to young people so that they are accessible and available for all and not just some schools and communities, particularly around important mental health support teams.

 

Bradford is a young city and now is a crucial time to hear the voices of young people.

 

In our young city, isolation which has increased through the pandemic, especially if without family and lack phones, anxiety.

 

Young people voices are not heard and they are not included in making decisions.

 

Young people want to see funding to strengthen communities and working together.

Read more here about the action we took next Mental Health - BDAT

 

Exceed – Poverty and Disadvantage

Our concern is that young people who are living in poverty are being left behind academically due to school closures during the pandemic. We don't want our young people in Bradford to be disadvantaged because of their home circumstances. We want to find ways in which we can support the young people to "catch up" and have the same educational and employment opportunities as those who are less disadvantaged. 

 

 

Beckfoot – LGBTQ+ and student voice – lost opportunity

At Beckfoot School, we have always had a co-constructed culture where students are very much involved in many of the most important decisions and given a platform to have their voices heard. As a result of the pandemic, our students feel that this has been a lost opportunity, especially with regards to the issues that young people from the LGBTQ+ community encounter. Our listening exercise has highlighted 5 main concerns: 

·        The normalisation of homophobia in schools and the wider community 

·        The design of school and community environments which may not be inclusive  

·        A lack of curriculum representation of LGBTQ+ people and issues (in terms of content, role models, and acknowledgement of history etc) 

·        Education on use of inclusive language for staff and students in school 

·        Education around LGBTQ+ issues for families and the wider community 

 

 

Contacts for any further information

Jim Lauder, Dixons                          joconnelllauder@dixonsta.com

Graham Brownlee, Citizens UK   graham.brownlee@leedscitizens.org.uk

Lisa Bain, Beckfoot Trust               beclbb@beckfoot.org