A training day for Lunchtime Supervisors and Teaching Assistants

This training day, 'Powerfully Positive Lunchtimes and Calm Dining Halls' was led by Jenny Mosley, a pioneer of positive lunchtimes and playtimes. Staff from local primary schools were invited to join the morning session, with no cost to their school, so that they could take a host of ideas back to their own schools, to further improve their own lunchtime sessions, for both themselves and the children. 

As the training session was in the Senior School Hall, there was plenty of space to accommodate staff from other schools and it was felt that this invitation to participate in the training would be warmly received, which it was. 

Aims

The aims of the partnership is to be able to offer further training and professional development to staff at local primary schools, without schools having to fund the training themselves. Promoting positive lunchtimes and calm dining halls is an issue across all schools, and by offering the opportunity for other schools to participate in the session, staff could then share ideas and activities with their school leaders. The factors for success are ensuring that other schools are able to release staff to attend the training session and that staff who do attend the session are then able to share the ideas and initiatives with senior leaders. The immediate beneficiaries are the staff who attend the training, but also the pupils, who will benefit from calmer and more positive lunchtimes and better learning experiences.

Background

The partnership came about by contacting schools we had previously worked in partnership with, as well as establishing new contacts in some local schools. The opportunity was identified by our head, who suggested offering the training to local schools, as there would be no cost to them, yet it is a common issue amongst all schools. 

This is a new partnership, which can hopefully be developed further.  

Resources

The trainer was critical to the success. The Senior School hall was used for the session and both teaching and non-teaching staff attended. Staff from local schools were invited for the morning session, as the afternoon session was a follow up on what had been observed in our setting and was therefore specific to our school.

Impact

Anticipated outcomes are dining halls becoming calmer and quieter and offering a better experience for adults and children, children taking greater responsibility for their dining hall and playground and become more motivated and want to engage in positive behaviour. By implementing some of the ideas and positive behaviour strategies, staff will be able to help children show more respect to lunchtime staff and each other.

Pupil Involvement

Pupils themselves are not involved in the training, but will be taught games and activities shared in the training session.

Frequency

This was initially a single event, although there may be scope to share ideas and any successful strategies in future.