Fairfield & Monkton Leadership Workshop

Monkton and Fairfield have been exploring an online platform called Gathertown as a way of creating opportunities for small group discussion, debate and leadership training across the two sites. Though separated by distance, pupils had an opportunity to meet each other, to share ideas and to work creatively together to solve problems.

Aims

To enable students from two different contexts and schools to engage with each other, broaden each other's horizons and sharpen each other's communication skills.

Today a group of around 20 year 11 pupils were able to interact with each other through two leadership workshops online.

Background

This opportunity was identified by the two leadership teams, and the partnership began with staff planning sessions followed by a pupil meet and then finally this workshop afternoon.

Resources

The event relied on the online platform Gathertown, as well as the leadership by staff in both schools to coordinate and supervise. In total, 10 hours of staff time were allocated to this event.

Impact

Pupils reported really enjoying the experience, particularly being able to "hear different opinions", "share different responses and ideas" as a group. They found the platform to be a creative and fun way of interacting for the first time, and they described enjoying asking each other questions about school life and different interests.

Pupil Involvement

A group of 20 year 11 pupils from both private and independent schools took part and benefited from the experience. 

Frequency

This is the first step in Monkton's partnership with Fairfield.