How the Citizen Schools Pathway works

1 Recruiting Leaders May – July 2010

Through one-to-ones, professional London Citizens schools and borough organizers work under the guidance of your head teacher to identify and recruit leaders for the course, representing teacher, senior leader, parent, governor and student constituencies. This team meets two times by July 2010.

2 Team & Community Alliance Building  July – December 2010

The recruited team meet regularly, are trained in key principles of community organizing (one training takes place at a partner school in the borough), and conduct a listening campaign in and around the school to determine which issue(s) to tackle. As such, the team builds key relationships with key community organizations (including 1-2 other schools from its borough) to increase its power. The school is recognized as a new London Citizens member at the Autumn Assembly.

3 Focusing, Entitling January – April 2011

Continuing to meet regularly, the team decides its issue(s) and creates a plan of action to effect change. Specialist schools organizers work with the team to develop opportunities to extend the project to whole cohorts of students through curriculum time. 1-2 team members attend Citizens UK 5-day community organizing training; the team is represented at London Citizens borough and chapter meetings to report on progress and build allies.

4 Taking Action May to July 2011

The team works with the school, its community allies and other London Citizens members to negotiate the desired change with specific power players (local council, businesses, public services) as appropriate. The team co-ordinates subsequent actions and commitments to see the change through, and ensures its voice is heard and considered in London Citizens decision-making.

5 Evaluating & Planning Winter Term 2011 onwards

The team evaluates the year and plans for future action and London Citizens’ involvement, based on lessons learned. With greater capacity and many more stakeholders engaged in the school, the school can look towards internal development and to taking advantage of the many opportunities available to London Citizens’ member schools.