Manifesto for Change

Dean Close has initiated a Cheltenham Education Partnership project engaging pupils with how education should change in the light of the global pandemic. 

Aims

We want to give school pupils a voice in this current discussion on the future of education post-pandemic, culminating in the production of a Manifesto for Change. How this will be used will be informed by the way the project proceeds. The intention is for the schools' representatives to engage their peers in this discussion and feed back opinions and ideas to the central group. This could have a lasting impact on Cheltenham schools and perhaps more widely.

Background

This project followed on from a Cheltenham Literature Festival event 'Back to the Drawing Board for Schools?'. David Evans suggested bringing CEP pupils' voices to this important topic. The first meeting was held in November. 

Resources

The University of Gloucestershire have provided two staff members to direct the discussions, which will be held on-line until physical meetings are possible. 5 pupils from Dean Close joined 20 others from across Cheltenham schools.

Impact

The benefit of this activity will be assessed by the final Manifesto outcome.

Pupil Involvement

4 state and 4 independent schools are involved with this project. Pupils range from Year 8 to Year 12. Dean Close's 5 pupils are in Year 11 and Year 12.

Frequency

Regular meetings will be held every 3-4 weeks, giving pupils time to engage their school peers. The Manifesto will be produced after 5-6 months in May or June.