Community



Community is a word used a great deal in education. The ‘school community,’ or a school’s links with the local community, are often highlighted or questioned whenever judgements are made, or opinions are formed about a school. 

In the month I have been with the federation it has been amazing to see just how strong the sense of community is across the three schools. The schools that make up Alston Moor Federation each have distinct communities, both among their children, and with the wider group of teachers, parents, carers, and volunteers who are all involved in numerous ways.  

What has struck me most however, is how much interest the community takes in the federation, and how keen people are to be involved with the young people it serves. In the last month I have been fortunate to meet lots of people from the communities across Alston Moor. Many have simply arrived to introduce themselves, got in touch, invited me to visit their business or establishment, or just offered to help in some way. 

I have met more people than I can hope to list from across the community. Businesses, clubs, activity groups, former staff, ex-parents, volunteers, neighbours and governors have all been in contact as I have found my feet as Acting Head in recent weeks. 

They all have one thing in common; they all have an ardent desire to build, develop and sustain a strong community in which school plays a central role.  

It can only be a good thing that young people are educated in schools where the local community plays such a significant role in the life of the school, and that people see the schools as a vital part of those communities in return.  

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