Community
Community
Our commitment to community engagement links directly with our school Vision and Values, and promotes our children as courageous advocates, going out into the wider community to make a difference to other's lives, and develop personal characteristics such as empathy, kindness and justice. We strive to strengthen the links between the school and the local community to give every child an opportunity to feel accomplished, happy and successful. As part of this process, we teach children about the importance of supporting others in order to enable the children to become responsible citizens, caring about the world that they live in and make an impact on their surroundings. Our commitment and strong links to St. Andrew’s Southgate Church have also played an instrumental role in enhancing and strengthening this ethos of the school.
Our community initiatives are as follows:
Intergenerational Project
To strengthen our community engagement and participation, St. Andrews Southgate Primary School has been taking part in the Intergenerational Linking Project called ‘We Before Me’ in partnership with Enfield Town Schools’ Partnership (ETSP). This project reduces isolation and promotes the re-bonding of communities, young and old. A key focus is to promote social action across the generations, empowering both younger and older people to have a positive impact on our community. It forms part of a national initiative called ‘Care Home Friends and Neighbours: Intergenerational Linking’ – from charities My Home Life England and The Linking Network – which is bringing young people from schools and youth organisations together with older people living in care homes across England.
Our link with Southgate Beaumont Care Home has strengthened this community connection between our pupils and elderly people. Throughout the last two years, we have undertaken ongoing visits and activities together that enhance the link between children and residents. This project has given children and older people living in care homes the opportunity to come together to share in new experiences, learning, stories and laughter. It has helped improve the children’s confidence and develop their social and leadership skills, as well as strengthen community connections.
Chips (Community Help Point Scheme)
CHiPS has been a network of ‘safe havens’ across the Borough of Enfield since 2006, where young and vulnerable people who are lost, at risk or feeling vulnerable can go in and ask for help and assistance from the community. There are around 200 help points in Enfield and St. Andrews Southgate Primary School is proud to be an active member.
Year Group ‘Out and About’ Project
To reflect our school values, each year group undertakes an ‘Out and About’ community project, with the aim to enhance and model the school values in real life. Furthermore, the projects provide the opportunity for children to develop their awareness of causes we really believe in and to make our world a better place. Some examples of this project include having a picnic with old people, having joint workshops with care home residents, writing and delivering poems to the neighbours, making Christmas shoe boxes, inviting grandparents to read stories, as well as gardening and planting in the school gardens.
Linked charities
At St. Andrew’s Southgate Primary School, each Key stage has selected a charity to support. These local charities have been chosen to reflect our passions and to support our local community. If you would like to donate, please visit the links below or donate via the school office.
The charity linked to KS1 is Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance service.
https://www.wras-enfieldwildlife.org.uk
The charity linked with KS2 is 'All people All places'.
