GFTU BGCM 2019 Minutes

anticipate there needs to be between the formal education and actually the

informal education and the community for the benefit of our young people?

THE PRESIDENT: We can take one more if there is one. (No response) I think it is

just that one, Cat.

CAT SMITH: Okay, no problem. Thanks, Deborah. I think that is a really good point.

In terms of the role that schools can play and the way in which formal and

informal education can mesh together, the vision that we have is very much

that the local youth partnerships will bring together, when I say all stakeholders,

that includes schools and teachers, to design youth services in that local area

that works for that area. So if you have got a situation where schools (and

some schools are doing this) have effectively also been doing youth work in

addition to formal education, my vision would be that that would continue and

that it might even act as an example to other areas, other youth partnerships,

where they could maybe roll out that model.

My concern is always around the way in which formal education so often fails

young people, either because of the approach of education about over-testing

and it puts people off education when actually it is not education that they are

being put off, it is the style in which it is being taught and youth work can offer

that second, third, fourth chance. So much of this actually blends in with what

my colleague Angela Rayner is talking about when she talks about the national

education service, about the fact that it is not just like your second chances, but

you can have as many chances as you want to educate yourself, not matter

how old you are or what stage in life you are, that you have got that

opportunity. In terms of that synergy, I do see it as being probably quite

different in different parts of the country, depending on cultures and different

school systems, but, yes, I definitely see that working together.

THE PRESIDENT: We do have another question, if that is all right.

DARA FARRELL: I completely welcome your comments in terms of a statutory youth

service and I think we would all welcome that. Just in respect of that, how

would you ensure that is protected throughout the country? We see now

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