Before joining the MATD programme, as a team, we were on our second round of 'forming, norming and storming'. We had been established within our cluster of schools, though problems had arisen due to differences of opinion and culture change for some. We had secondments and funding which were coming to an end. There were also team members who were anxious about their own roles, identities and futures.
The team consisted of admin support workers, a full time social worker, an education
welfare officer, an emotional well-being worker, two child and family workers, a transition learning
mentor, a special needs support assistant, two teachers and a co-ordinator. At the time of
commencement
on the programme the team had been up and running for eighteen months but the last member had only come
into post in July 2005.
The programme really got us to stop, look and evaluate what we had done and what we planned for the future. Fantastically facilitated, the programme was an opportunity to completely focus on 'us'. We were able to do this without the distraction of work and met colleagues from other areas who joined us in discussion.
'Reflective writing' and the 'Personality Assessment' were tools which we were able to put to positive use. Our presentation brought us all together to work in collaboration.
Post-programme, the team is at its most settled - we have grown together. There have been no additions or departures to the team and we have established ourselves as an integral part of the school's ECM focus. The programme gave us the confidence and drive to believe in ourselves.
Gateshead local authority have used B.E.S.T (Behaviour and Education Support Team) as an example in developing the Children and Young People's plan and the change for children agenda.
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