Nurture Curriculum to Reduce School Exclusion

 

WE MUST SAFEGUARD OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL EXCLUSIONS, PUPIL REFERRAL UNITS, GANGS, AND IT STARTS WITH A COMMUNITY IN EDUCATION!

Awaken Genius - an alternative Community-Creative Arts Curriculum that will reduce need for school exclusion and Pupil Referral Units - supporting vulnerable children in their return back to school after COVID -19

In 2019/20 at total of 15,400 pupils were registered in Pupil Referral Units in the UK: at a cost of around £270 Million and yet, despite being able to provide such enhanced levels of support, outcomes for pupils in AP are incredibly poor: In 2015-16, only 18% of children who were subjected to multiple fixed term exclusions, and just 7% of children who were permanently excluded, went on to achieve passes in English and Maths GCSEs. Furthermore, according to the Ministry of Justice, 42% had been permanently excluded from school and prisoners with such a past were more likely to re-offend than not; confirming the existence of the ‘school-to-prison pipeline’ that is a significant risk to vulnerable pupils.

Research suggests that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), for example, child exposure to domestic abuse, violence, and abuse are impacted more in deprived areas. Also, repeated or continuous exposure to adverse experiences has been shown to disrupt children's neurobiological functioning by overstimulating their 'freeze, flight and fight' responses. If stressful events are not reduced by the caregiver’s affection, this can result in aggression and disruption in school. This is one of the major causes of school exclusions and mental wellbeing issues in these children.

Ubuntu and Somatic Therapy in Education

Ubuntu

"I Am Because We Are":

Ubuntu is the belief in humanity's interconnectedness and the importance of treating each other with compassion, empathy, and dignity.

At Awaken Genius, embody the concept of "I Am Because We Are," and recognise that well-being and success are intricately tied to the well-being and success of our vulnerable children and their families. Embracing the idea that our shared humanity and collective efforts uplift us all.

Somatic Therapy

The mind-body connection is a fundamental concept in psychology and healthcare that acknowledges the interdependence of mental and physical well-being. Trauma can have profound effects on both the mind and the body, and somatic therapy is an approach that recognises and addresses this connection to help individuals heal from trauma.

Somatic therapy is a form of body-centred therapy that focuses on the physical sensations, movements, and bodily responses associated with emotional and psychological experiences. Here's how somatic therapy can help heal trauma by working with the mind-body. It utilises techniques such as body awareness, movement, and breath work to help individuals release stored tension and emotions in the body.

Building a Community

At Awaken Genius, somatic therapy and communal healing through Ubuntu is combined to create a holistic, culturally sensitive approach in Numeracy and Literacy than can reduce traumatic stress in vulnerable children. Our Community-Creative Arts Curriculum in Numeracy and Literacy is aligned with the National Curriculum. However, its pedagogy is centred around, creative arts, movement, collaboration, building strong communities, emotional intelligence, visualisation, and self-regulation, multi-sensory learning, life purpose and the concepts of communal success through personal agency, entrepreneurial thinking, and building social relationships. 

Mutual Responsibility

Nurturing a culture of self-care and Ubuntu is not just an idea but a way of life. Awaken Genius' learning approach underscores the idea that we have a responsibility to care for and uplift vulnerable children and their families as community members. Our facilitators practice self-regulation in order to viscerally be attuned to children and their families, which creates a safe and supportive environment where each person's healing journey is valued and respected.

Reducing Hyper-arousal and Hypo-arousal

ACEs and trauma can lead to states of hyper-arousal (intense anxiety, agitation) or hypo-arousal (feeling numb or disconnected). Awaken Genius' learning approach helps regulate children's nervous system by teaching techniques to calm hyper-arousal and to promote a balanced, more regulated state.

Collective Healing

Awaken Genius' Ubuntu emphasis on interconnectedness aligns with the communal aspect of group therapy. As part of our curriculum, we deliver Parent-Child and Families Attachment Workshops to help parents better self-regulate themselves and viscerally connect and build bonds with their children and other families.

In Haringey 

- The largest proportion of victims of Serous Youth Violence in Haringey are Black African or Black Caribbean. 

- They make up 25% of Haringey’s 10-19 population but 36% of victims. 

- Young Black men are significantly overrepresented in the youth justice cohort. 

- Black men living in North Tottenham and Wood Green are most likely to be involved in the drug trade and arrested for drug-related offences. 

- Young Black men are more likely to attain few or no qualifications than their peers. 

- Young Black boys are disproportionately excluded from school, whether permanently or for a fixed term. 

- The 2016/17 rate of fixed period exclusions in Haringey secondary schools was 19% among Black Caribbean pupils and 8% among Black African pupils, compared to 5% for White British pupils. 

Let's safeguard our vulnerable children. Please donate now!

Awaken Genius partners with primary schools in deprived London boroughs and community spaces to deliver a Community-Creative Arts early intervention programme. We need to raise 20k. Your donations will help us achieve our target!

Please visit our inspirational website for further details:

www.awakengenius.org