Message of the Month – June
As we approach the end of term, this seems a great opportunity to reflect on some of our successes over the past three months.
Congratulations to Halina Gammie who was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. This is tremendous recognition of Halina’s contribution to Study Support and to PfS in particular. This is the third honour to be awarded to people working in PfS for services to study support and Playing for Success and demonstrates the high regard in which PfS is held by the Department. David Carley and Rex Hall were theprevious recipients.
In a recent email communication, we shared with you that there has been 100% return of Business Plans from centres. An overview of the plans has been very well received by Martin Bull and Richard Page of the Department for Education. Congratulations to you all.
I know from the many emails and phone calls received in recent weeks that you are all facing challenging times as LA budgets are cut and constraints are placed on the choices you make about how you spend PfS budgets. A number of centres have already seen budgets cut as local authorities have reduced the amount of funding available for additional programmes offered through PfS centres.
It may help once again to remind you that PfS budgets are ring-fenced, as this message we received from DfE stated: “The DfE Standards Fund remains ring-fenced. The Standards Fund grant 1.12 Playing for Success therefore remains ring-fenced.”
It is reassuring that when many programmes have seen their budgets slashed, PfS has been spared. Let’s see that as a positive message and capitalise on it. PfS makes a significant impact on attainment for the young people who attend and we need to ensure this message is being shared at both local and national levels.
At RHA we are working to secure the future for PfS centres and will be lobbying on your behalf. We will keep you updated on progress.
I know that many of you are also taking decisive and positive action to secure your own futures. Here are just some examples;
– Kirklees launched a celebration event on 12 July 2010 to showcase all their PfS provision.
– Shaw Lane Community Sports Association, Shaw Lane Playing for Success Centre had a fantastic launch event recently with high profile attendees and strong commitment given by the leader of the council. Ian McMillan was also in attendance and again stressed his support for PfS. See Ian’s article in The Guardian.
– Durham Amateur Rowing Club, DARC PfS Centre has invited all their MPs and local businesses to attend a business breakfast at the centre to see the facilities available and hear about the curriculum programmes offered.
– SSC@SCCC at Somerset County Cricket Club have secured support from their Chief Executive, Richard Gould who has stated that he will lobby on their behalf. Simon Lowe, centre manager, has also arranged for the new Chief Executive of the council to visit the centre in September.
These are just a few of the great examples of the proactive nature of PfS centre managers.
Keep up the good work and keep letting us know of your actions.
Best wishes
Marian