At Gilnow, we want our children to understand and feel included in their local, and wider, communities. We build strong partnerships with groups, charities and agencies and enjoy working together to create opportunities and experiences for our children to enhance their learning and develop a greater understanding and appreciation for the world they are growing up in.
We have enjoyed taking part in events, such as:
- Urban Outreach collection for Harvest
- Bolton Lads and Girls Club assembly
- Information sessions with the local Police for our KS2 classes
- Head Pupils visit to the Armistice Day events in Bolton
- Visits to Bolton Library and Waterstones to promote our ‘love of reading’
- Visits to local religious institutions as part of our RE and in recognition of major religious celebrations
- Bolton Black History Group assembly
- Love Bolton, hate litter’ joining us for our regular community litter pick
- Regular visits from our local MP, Kirith Entwistle
We also hold monthly Parents Coffee Mornings and invite representatives from our partner agencies along to share information with families, e.g. Fortalice spoke to the parents about staying safe, whilst Healthy Families shared information relating to the dangers of vaping.
We also facilitate our parents in accessing support from these local groups by hosting ongoing sessions in school and providing staff to act as translators or advocates if required. This has included:
- English language classes from Bolton College
- Bolton Money Skills
- Citizens Advice
- Bolton Guild of Help
- Urban Outreach
- MP surgeries
Gilnow are also proud to be part of ‘Cluster 10’, a close, but diverse, network of local schools, who work together to support staff and develop good practice.
Our staff are involved in regular moderation across the cluster and take part in joint CPD, including groups for our Senior leaders, SENCOs and ECTs to meet and share expertise. Our cluster has also been involved in projects to develop pupil leadership skills in running initiatives that will have a positive impact on the local community, an Art project with a local artist to create work to display in the town centre, and a STEM event to support girls in accessing career areas where they may be under-represented.
