Report on the R Time and Negotiate Conference, 3rd July 2009, Exeter Racecourse
Aimee Pascoe (Primary Schools Support Worker and Physical Activity Lead) and Cheryl Ellwood (Secondary Schools and Short Stay Schools Support Worker) attended this valuable event. The conference was led by R Time trainers John Pascoe and Petrina Missons and the originators of R Time, Greg Sampson and Pete Harvey. Delegates from Cornwall included primary and secondary school teachers, Learning Mentors and Parent Support Advisors.
Greg Sampson is a former primary Head teacher. His thirty-two years of experience of working in schools in disadvantaged areas showed him that many of the children did not like one another, were bullies and victims, were isolated, socially excluded, depressed and demanding. His research with the children to find out what they thought about themselves and their classmates led to his work, in collaboration with Pete Harvey (another former Head teacher and author) to develop the R Time (Relationships to Improve Education) programme for KS1 and 2. Continuing to work together Greg and Pete have more recently developed the Negotiate programme for KS 3 and 4. Both programmes aim to support the capacity of students to develop healthy relationships and both link closely with the SEAL programme.
Greg opened the day, his passion for R Time and Negotiate apparent. It was evident that the programmes are firmly grounded in real life and in his many years of experience.
John and Petrina then took a demonstration lesson in which delegates were able to experience the programme for themselves in a way that was entertaining, whilst making the five-step process very clear:
- Random pairing – young people work each time with a different partner
- Introductions – greeting each other with a positive statement
- Activity – to encourage communication and co-operation
- Plenary – children feedback and reflect
- Conclusion – a positive finish.
Workshop sessions
Creative Transitions
Petrina offered lots of useful, evidence-based ideas for improving the transition from KS2 to KS3. She is also a trainer for the Pyramid Trust, which supports vulnerable children in school, particularly those with low self-esteem, and this experience added a further valuable element to the session.
Negotiate in support of secondary schools
Pete Harvey, author of Negotiate explained that it uses the same five-step process as R-time and draws on the real-life issues that students are likely to encounter through their adolescence, often those with a moral or ethical dilemma. There are no right or wrong answers. Pete brought to life the ways in which this can have a powerful, positive impact on relationships in the secondary school.
SEAL
Greg Sampson spoke about the use of R Time to support SEAL within the school. He showed how the focus of the five SEALs is getting lost (often in favour of the seven themes) and explained that the structure of R Time allows the practitioner to address the five SEALs while working on activities to support the themes, ensuring that the focus is not lost. Greg’s extensive experience in schools brings new enthusiasm for SEAL and the inspiration to use R Time activities to support it.
Peer massage
John Pascoe gave a brief introduction to peer massage and invited discussion about the benefits that its implementation has shown. He showed how the programme is run within schools. The session also offered the opportunity to learn some of the routines used within schools and to practice these, as well as feeling the benefits!
A useful day
It was a useful day and one that gave teachers and school-based professionals a sound understanding of the benefits that R Time and Negotiate can bring to schools.
"If children come to us from strong, healthy and functioning families it makes our job a lot easier. If they do not come to us from strong, healthy and functioning families it makes our job more important."
Barbara Coloroso (educator and author).