Urban Crew Project 2013-2014 Overview The Urban Crew is a joint project between Manchester Communication Academy (MCA) and Northwards Housing, which started in 2010-11. The project aims to engage between eight and ten pupils from each school from years 5 or 6. Pupils are encouraged to volunteer on the programme where they will complete 30-35 hours of activities over the academic year enabling them to achieve an ASDAN Key Steps award at the City Pride Awards Event at the end of the school year.
What is ASDAN? The ASDAN Key Steps programme offers a flexible, extensive choice of activities for up to three years. The programme can be run in contexts to suit, for example: Within a timeframe of 30-35 hours per certificate, a learner can achieve one, two or three certificates. A certificate can be standalone, or count towards further ASDAN programmes. Key Steps provides 2 credits into other ASDAN Awards such as Bronze and Silver or the CoPE® qualification (Certificate of Personal Effectiveness), which has GCSE equivalence.
2013-14 was the fourth year in the life of the Urban Crew and saw nine local schools within the North Manchester area sign up to the project: Briscoe Lane Academy, Charlestown Primary, Christ the King Primary, Crumpsall Lane, Oasis Academy – Harpur Mount, Holy Trinity, St Mary’s C of E, Temple Primary, Seymour Road. Schools are provided with uniforms for the students, consisting of a high vis. vest, belt and a cap, making them easily identifiable when they are on Urban Crew duties. Students are expected to complete 30-35 hours of activities over the school year and activities include: duties such as litter picking, reporting any maintenance issues around their school, planting bulbs, and contributing to making their local area a safe and inviting environment; attending workshops provided by MCA and Northwards Housing; delivering assemblies; partaking in an enterprise project “Urban Crew Apprentice” and community visits e.g. to care homes for the elderly. Each school is provided with a pen drive to evidence the activities which are taking place. The evidence can be in the form of minutes of meetings, photographs or the students own write up following an event or activity. The project is supported throughout by representatives from MCA and Northwards Housing who attend termly meetings, assemblies and after school clubs, deliver workshops and host the Urban Crew Apprentice event which brings all of the schools together with their great enterprise projects. The project culminates with the City Pride Awards - a celebration event in July where all the students involved in the project come together to be recognised for their
hard work and are presented with their ASDAN certificates. Each school nominates their own member of the year who receives an individual trophy and gift voucher, an overall winner is then chosen by representatives from Northwards housing and MCA who receives £500 for their school. Highlights Urban Crew Apprentice Each school chose an idea for their enterprise project. The children were given all the resources needed to produce eye catching posters for their stalls and prepare their items for sale prior to opening the doors to MCA staff who came in at lunch time to spend their £5 tokens. Competition was fierce as all teams worked hard to ensure they sold all of their stock. As the day drew to an end all monies were totalled and prizes awarded to the team who took the most money on the day and also the team who generated the most profit.
The children learned invaluable business skills from the day, they were challenged to work as a team and delegate roles. They had to first of all decide on an enterprising idea and see the whole process through from advertising their stall, producing the items to sell and agreeing on an acceptable price.
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A teacher tells us: “Back in September she was almost invisible, very quiet, reserved and shy. She would never ask a question or volunteer. However, she proved that she was an amazing listener, performed her duties extremely well and was always an amazing role model, very patient with younger children and vulnerable pupils. Since then a lot of things changed. First of all, she was remarkable during the Enterprise Day. She talked to customers of our shop in a very professional way and it was hard to believe she was only nine at that time. And that shy, reserved girl was able to stand in front of two hundred and fifty people and flawlessly deliver her part of the Assembly! She later said: “I didn’t know I was so brave”. She blossomed and really made the difference for others.” The children themselves said: “The best thing about Urban Crew is working together” “I liked becoming a role model for others to look up to”
Some schools had the same idea so each had to make sure they had the best product at the best value for money. They also gained an understanding of the difference between taking the most money and making the most profit. It was a successful day with Crumpsall Lane coming out on top with their balloon modelling stall.
Community Visits Each of the schools took their Urban Crew to visit a care home for the elderly in their local area. The residents were delighted to have the company of young people, and had some great stories to tell. The children were interested to hear what they had to say and very keen to help out with a game of bingo, where the residents could teach them how to play. The children act as ambassadors for their school and gain an understanding of what a care home is like. Having met and talked with residents children are demonstrating great citizenship whilst showing the staff, residents and local community a very positive view of young people in the area.
Outcomes The schools are able to offer the children a recognised qualification and report that often shy, reserved pupils really come out of their shell when given the responsibility and privilege of being an Urban Crew Member. Schools are able to use the places on the project to their advantage e.g. to reward good behaviour, to help those who lack in confidence or for those that need to be encouraged to be better role models. The children themselves thoroughly enjoy being a part of the Urban Crew and take the role very seriously. They understand it carries responsibility and see themselves as role models for their peers. Northwards Housing are able to demonstrate a real investment in the local community; encouraging young people to develop a pride in their local environment. MCA facilitate the students gaining real academic currency before they even access high school through the ASDAN qualification which is a recognised unit towards a GCSE.
Urban Crew Duties At school the children are given a certain level of responsibility, they look out for other students and provide a friendly face if someone is lonely, being bullied or has fallen and hurt themselves. Children also have responsibilities such as making sure taps are not left on and knowing the importance of not wasting water; ensuring electrical items and sockets are turned off to conserve energy. The social and environmental benefits can be carried through into their home life and will also stay with them as they move on to secondary school.
Summary The project provides opportunities to learn new skills and develop young people into valued citizens. In an area of North Manchester with high levels of deprivation, these young people are learning to become great role models and take on active roles within their community, developing a pride in their local area. These are skills that can be built on, creating young leaders of the future.