Supporting Resilient Families

We are excited to introduce the Norfolk supporting families to flourish resources for schools. These have been produced through collaboration with young people, families and schools from across the county to develop needs-led, accessible approaches for all schools to benefit from.

Families in Norfolk are facing significant pressures, and schools can sometimes feel the impact of these challenges. It is essential to acknowledge the strain on both families and educational settings as they work together. By understanding and addressing these pressures together, we can foster a supportive environment where both schools and families are equipped to help children and young people flourish. The enormity of this challenge is significant, and we recognise the key role schools play in supporting families so they can, in turn, support their children. The Family Hub offer in Norfolk provides family-facing support to address the breadth of challenges that families may be facing. Our collaboration has therefore focused on three key deliverables to help schools with practical, accessible approaches to improve engagement and outcomes:

• Accessible support to enable families to be resilient​ through webpages that can be contextualised and aligned to each school/setting
• Workforce development to support in building and strengthening relationships with their families​
• Resources that support school communities with to deliver their RSHE curriculum, linked to wider community opportunities.

Look through the resources

Linked below to find out what may be helpful to you:

• I'm interested in improving my website support to families.
  Here you will find content that can be used to update your own webpage information for families, access pro-foma comms to send to families when this has been updated and learn from the illustrative case studies about best approaches to ensuring this is as effective as possible. 
• I'd like to learn more about how to improve relationships with families to secure positive engagement and communication.
  Here you will find evidence-based approaches and top tips for some of the hardest and most common communication challenges and ways to address these.
• I'd like to access resources that will help the children and young people in my school to flourish through the RSHE curriculum and wider community offer, so they can seek support, grow resilience and flourish.
  Here you can download a contextual curriculum, designed by our Norfolk children and young people, for our Norfolk children and young people that compliments and helps you to meet the demands of statutory RSHE.  

Use the learning

To improve and extend your work as part of your own 'Learning pledge' to FLOURISH. If you've not made your pledge yet, do this here.

Get involved

Whether you have the capacity and expertise to work with other schools to share how your school is working to improve family engagement or are looking to learn from others, we would love to hear from you! Get in touch:

• If you have an area of expertise or experience which you would be happy to talk to others about 
• If you have an offer you can open to others such as places on a network or spare CPD places 
• If you have an area of expertise you could offer to lead a collaborative piece of work
• To ask a question of the wider system, for example 'How have other schools improved x...?" 
• To share what has worked for you in the past for improving positive engagement with families 
• To share how you in your role you contribute to supporting families to be resilient, from TA to School leader 

Here you can find some practice examples of the schools that have collaborated to support and share learning:

Your further contributions will help this initiative to grow and enable more colleagues to directly benefit from collaboration which helps schools to support resilient families and improve relationships with families to secure more positive engagement and communication.

Great Yarmouth Charter Academy

Overview: Great Yarmouth Charter Academy in Norfolk has developed a comprehensive approach to supporting families, ensuring that parents and guardians have access to essential resources and guidance to help their children achieve positive outcomes.

Key Features:

1. Proactive Communication: The academy maintains strong relationships with families through regular, proactive communication. This ensures that parents are kept informed about their children's progress and any support they may need
2. Pastoral Support: The school's pastoral team provides dedicated support to students and their families, addressing various challenges and promoting well-being. This includes one-on-one meetings, counselling services, and tailored interventions
3. Parent Workshops and Events: Great Yarmouth Charter Academy hosts workshops and events for parents, covering topics such as mental health, educational strategies, and parenting skills. These sessions empower families with knowledge and tools to support their children's development
4. Online Resources: The academy's website offers a range of online resources for families, including guides on handling difficult feelings, educational materials, and information on community support services
5. Community Engagement: The school actively engages with the local community, collaborating with organizations to provide additional support and resources to families. This includes partnerships with local charities, health services, and educational programs
6. Extended School Day: The academy has an extended school day to ensure that all pupils enjoy healthy and safe lifestyles, experience the world of work, and learn what it means to be citizen of a great community
7. Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) Support: The academy provides comprehensive support for students with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring an inclusive and accessible curriculum for all.
8. Enrichment & Activities: The school offers a variety of enrichment activities and after-school clubs, including sports, arts, and academic clubs.
9. Community Projects: Students are encouraged to participate in community projects, fostering a sense of responsibility.

Impact: Great Yarmouth Charter Academy's comprehensive support system has created a more inclusive and responsive environment for families. By providing proactive communication, dedicated pastoral support, and valuable resources, the school has fostered a community where families feel supported and empowered to address challenges.

Learning for Other Schools:

• Maintain Proactive Communication: Regular, proactive communication with families helps build trust and ensures parents are informed and involved in their children's education.
• Provide Dedicated Pastoral Support: A strong pastoral team can address various challenges and promote well-being among students and their families.
• Host Parent Workshops and Events: Offering workshops and events on relevant topics can empower families with knowledge and tools to support their children's development.
• Offer Online Resources: Providing a range of online resources can help families navigate challenges and improve their children's outcomes.
• Engage with the Community: Collaborating with local organizations can provide additional support and resources to families, enhancing the school's ability to address diverse needs.

By adopting similar strategies, other schools can enhance their support for families and contribute to better educational and well-being outcomes for their students.

Great Yarmouth Charter Academy

Sprowston Community Academy's Webpage Support for Families

Overview: 

Sprowston Community Academy in Norwich has developed a comprehensive online platform to support families, ensuring they have access to essential resources and information to help their children thrive.

Key Features:

1. Report4Support: This feature allows parents and students to report non-emergency issues directly to school staff. It ensures concerns are addressed promptly during school hours, fostering a safe and supportive environment
2. Bullying and Discrimination Reporting: The school provides an online form for reporting incidents of bullying or discriminatory behaviour. This tool empowers families to alert staff to issues, ensuring they are dealt with effectively and promptly
3. Self-Help Resources: The website includes a section dedicated to self-help resources, offering guidance on various topics such as mental health, well-being, and educational support. These resources are designed to help families navigate challenges and support their children's development
4. Contact Information: Clear and accessible contact details are provided for general queries and emergency issues, ensuring families can easily reach out for support when needed

Impact: Sprowston Community Academy's online support system has created a more inclusive and responsive environment for families. By providing easy access to reporting tools and self-help resources, the school has fostered a community where families feel supported and empowered to address challenges.

Learning for Other Schools:

• Develop Comprehensive Reporting Tools: Implementing features like Report4Support and online bullying reporting can help schools address issues promptly and effectively.
• Provide Self-Help Resources: Offering a range of self-help materials can support families in managing various challenges and improving their children's outcomes.
• Ensure Clear Communication Channels: Accessible contact information and clear communication channels are essential for families to feel supported and connected to the school community.

By adopting similar strategies, other schools can enhance their support for families and contribute to better educational and well-being outcomes for their communities.

 Sprowston Community Academy