Why and how to support supplementary schools?

The NRCSE’s Effective Teaching Skills courses are an ideal way to improve your understanding of minority communities in your area.

Supplementary schools are in large part established and managed by community members on a voluntary basis. Their aim is to provide a structured and safe environment for children to learn more about their culture, faith and heritage while at the same time supporting their educational attainment and realising their potential.

Some supplementary schools are able to employ professionally qualified teachers by raising money from parents. Other supplementary schools serve communities that are still experiencing economic disadvantage and they must raise money from charitable trusts to run their activities. In some cases they are able to access local authority funding to support the integration of minority and newly arrived migrant communities. The difficulties in raising funds can make it impossible for them to pay professional fees and they rely on teachers accepting much smaller payment or working on an entirely voluntary basis.

Training and continuous professional development are vital to all teachers, learning about mainstream curriculum development, acquiring new skills and sharing best practice and innovation.

Providing supplementary school teachers with training opportunities supports adults in developing skills and enhancing their employability in Britain; CPD opportunities ensure that the learning experience for children complements and builds on their learning during the week; but there is an additional benefit which is perhaps less acknowledged.

The provision of training for supplementary school staff – paid and volunteers – gives local authorities a real insight into the values and aspirations of communities they don’t yet understand. Collaboration and  sharing of good practice; provision of participatory training opportunities that build understanding and trust; breaking away from downward spirals of misunderstanding and disempowerment – all this facilitates a move away from discriminatory and divisive rhetoric and allows the development of real partnership in supporting children to realise their potential and grow into full and equal citizens.

Support supplementary schools

NRCSE can provide you with the tools to deepen your understanding of minority communities; to recognise their commitment to education; and celebrate the learning and attainment of children within community contexts.

Learn from supplementary schools themselves what they do and why. Support supplementary schools and turn away from the uninformed rhetoric of too many journalists and politicians.