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Introducing the GTC Networks.

Good teaching needs good networks and good networks need good teachers.

The GTC Networks provide support by linking teachers nationally and putting them in touch with the latest research and evidence. They let teachers have a voice at national debates on changes to education.

Supporting asylum-seeker and refugee pupils

We held a second event focusing on the education of asylum-seeker and refugee pupils at the GTC’s London offices on 16 November 2005.

The aims of the event were:

to share practice to support the professional development needs of teachers who teach asylum-seeker and refugee children, and
to learn about current policy and practice challenges in relation to supporting asylum-seeker and refugee children.

The day, chaired by Valerie Noble, Professional Network Link Adviser, was divided into three sessions covering research, policy challenges and good practice.

The first session included:

Shiraz Chakera, Assistant Policy Adviser from the GTC, who gave an overview of the research led by Cambridge University and supported by the GTC
Research from Cambridge University (PDF, 759KB)
Lynne Edwards, a teacher who attended the first event, who gave a personal account of the impact it had on her practice, and
Nora McKenna from the Refugee Council, who introduced the research being funded by the KPMG Foundation called ‘Inclusive Secondary Schools’.
Research from the Refugee Council (Word, 26KB)
Nora's presentation (Powerpoint, 68KB)

The second session was led by Tim Spafford, a refugee education consultant. Tim gave a presentation about the impact of recent government immigration legislation and the Every Child Matters agenda in relation to the education and care of asylum-seeker and refugee children.
Tim’s presentation (PowerPoint, 127KB)
Recent government immigration legislation (Word, 30KB)
Every Child Matters agenda (Word, 45KB)

The third session looked at good practice in supporting asylum-seeker and refugee pupils when they first arrive at a school. Simon Brownhill discussed the research undertaken by himself and colleagues from the University of Derby. Their work entitled ‘Responding to the Educational Needs of Asylum-Seekers and Refugee Children’ has resulted in resources for schools on providing a suitable environment for asylum-seeker and refugee children.
Simon’s presentation (PowerPoint, 937KB)
University of Derby research (Word, 76KB)

Carolyn Herbert from Westminster local authority explored the range of activities that she, as the Refugee Support Co-ordinator, provides for the schools in her authority.
Carolyn’s presentation (PowerPoint, 39KB)

Next steps

This event was the last being led by the Achieve network on this subject. We will continue to ensure that the support of asylum-seeker and refugee pupils remains a core part of what we offer to network members.

The Achieve network will:

ensure that the resource file is updated annually, providing practitioners with a comprehensive collection of research, policy reports and resources
provide information on the two events with downloadable presentations and resources on the Achieve website, and
feed the lessons learnt from this work into GTC's advisory work.


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