The Mark of Quality Education

12 schools received NRCSE Quality Mark Awards in Autumn – Spring Term 2018 – 2019

A great evening in the Houses of Parliament celebrating the success of all those supplementary schools in London to have achieved NRCSE Quality Mark Awards. Thank you to Baroness Merel Ece for inviting us. Congratulations to all the brilliant supplementary schools, thank you to our Educational Experts, headteachers from mainstream schools who have given freely of their expertise to support supplementary schools to develop teaching and learning practice, to the Forum Co-ordinators who have encouraged supplementary schools in their boroughs and have facilitated the Quality Recognition Meetings, to Erik Mesel and John Lyon’s Charity who have funded developmental quality assurance in eight London boroughs for over ten years, to the MPs from Hammersmith, Hendon and Ealing for speaking so positively about the work of supplementary schools. And especially to all the young people from Riana, Hadaf, Shpresa, Paiwand, Sudanese Supplementary schools and Kingsbury Somali Youth Project who spoke up and were so confident and clear about the value of supplementary education, mother tongue and culture in their lives. You are the best evidence of the excellent work your community organisations are doing. We are so proud of you!

Baroness Ece arranged for a tour of the Houses of Parliament prior to the event which was enjoyed and informative as MPs continued their debate and voting on Britain’s future relationship with the European Union. As chair of the event she spoke of the importance of language and culture to children’s development into adulthood. She spoke to of her concern to learn that community-led supplementary schools are often being charged upwards of £20,000 per annum to rent mainstream school premises at the weekend when they exist with the very same aims – to support children and young people to achieve their full potential.

Although it was a busy day in Parliament, three MPs came Mathew Offord MP for Hendon, Andy Slaughter MP for Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush and Rup Huq MP for Ealing Central and Acton – at their constituents’ request – to hear more about the work being delivered by supplementary schools and were joined by Suzie Yassin of Brent and Camden Councils, Tunay Hussein, retired Haringey Head and Educational Expert and Erik Mesel, Public Policy Manager at John Lyon’s Charity to present the 13 schools to have achieved the Quality Mark since September 2018 with their certificates and reports.

Karen Matthews, Headteacher at outstanding Bevington Primary School and one of our Volunteer Educational Experts spoke about when she realised that her pupils were attending out-of-school settings that were complementing their learning in her school, “I had no idea what a supplementary school was, then some parents invited me to visit. I was so impressed that this support existed, to see how proud the students are, how much their confidence grows as a result.”

Feedback from schools on Houses of Parliament event:

“On behalf of Willesden Supplementary school. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to NRCSE, John Lyons and Baroness Hussein Ece OBE for acknowledging the Supplementary Schools, our passion, hard work and commitment to children’s wellbeing and education. Making a difference to the individual student’s education and collectively working together, building confidence, knowledge, supporting their learning and achievements. We help pave the way for success and excellence. Together we establish and cement future successes as citizens in our communities and country. Thank you and well done to the Supplementary Schools and Children.” – Willesden Saturday School, 01/03/2019

“I hope you are well and thank you for your email and the pictures.
On behalf of Willesden Saturday School. We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to NRCSE, John Lyons and Baroness Hussein Ece OBE for acknowledging Supplementary Schools.

Our passion, hard work, efforts and commitment to children’s wellbeing and education. We are making a difference.” – Willesden Saturday School, 01/03/2019

“It was a very interesting event and I am grateful NRCSE organised it. Really great choice for a venue! It will be memorable!” – ESDEG, 03/01/2019

“The event was well organised and to hear from the achievements from different schools and to share learning practices. Also hearing from the students, themselves on their personal achievements and what the supplementary school means to them was refreshing.” – Riana Development Network, 28/02/2019

“I want to thank you again for your patient encouragement for us to apply for the Quality Mark. It has been a lot of extra effort when we didn’t think we had time, but now definitely worth it to reach this stage – so thank you from all of us.” – VODI, 03/03/2019

“Thank you so much for the photos and all support we had from you and your colleagues in NRCSE!” – HADAF Persian School, 11/03/2019

For information about how your school can obtain the NRCSE Quality Mark take the self-assessment on the Quality Mark page and subscribe to NRCSE