The Education Committee |
Aims: to learn, to debate, and to respond
Key features of the work of the Education Policy Committee are involvement, communication and coordination. The policy committee meets twice yearly (autumn, summer) at 36 Danbury Street, Islington. It is made up of representatives of branches and affiliated organisations, as well as Individual Members. Many of them have experience, past or current, in teaching. Recently the heads of local schools have been invited to speak to the committee. Committee members also meet in February or March outside London, which enables local NCW members to take a part in the work of the committee. For example a seminar on literacy in the 'early years' was held recently in Nottingham. The committee communicates through reports which are sent to branches and individual members and through articles in NCW's newsletters and other publications. In addition, education interest groups are being set up within branches. An annual common theme helps these groups to have a similar focus, on which they can report to the policy committee. Programs and venues vary according to local wishes. When possible the education Coordinator visits these groups. The committee has drafted responses to consultation papers for the NCW President to send the Department for Children Schools and Families, such as Fair Play: a consultation on the play strategy commitment in the Children's Plan, and the consultation on indicators of a school's contribution to children's well-being. |