I am passionate about seeing the lives of young people transformed and have been for well over half my life. I began my working life as a trainee youth worker for a local church but quickly found myself working in school full time: firstly as a support worker and then training to become a PSHE teacher in secondary school. I left teaching eight years ago but the time I spent in the classroom gave me a huge respect for the work that teachers do as well as deepening my love for teenagers (yes really!).
Fast forward to today and after a spell of doing hands-on schools work I find myself now working for SchoolsworkUK, charged with the not insignificant task of encouraging those who are working in schools, both primary and secondary, to get trained and qualified. At the same time I find myself needing to return to hands-on schools work, so when a friend asked me to help him out I jumped at the chance!
So this week I have been part of the local Fegans team delivering the Christmas Unwrapped presentation to year sixes from two local primary schools - talking all things bubblegum and fluff, as well as a crazy professor. Not, I’ll admit, what first springs to mind when thinking about Christmas, but that’s kind of the point. It’s tempting to think that because Christmas is celebrated so widely that means everyone knows the story: they don’t, which gives schools workers the opportunity to tell them! And be reminded all over again just how exciting it is to present children and young people with a point of view they may not otherwise hear. Even the teaching and support staff who were in the room were enjoying themselves, groaning at the bad jokes, not catching the eye of the professor and helping the children decorate their biscuits!
At heart I’m a schools worker: I want to journey with their young people in the place they spend the most time. And I believe there has never been a time when Christians have had more to offer their local school. So, let me encourage you to get involved! If you’re unsure where to start get in touch with us at SchoolsworkUK or ask around in your local area to find out whether there’s already a team of people you could join.
If you’re a long-standing schools worker then let me encourage you to keep on keeping on! The work you do is invaluable, whether you see the fruit or not. And enjoy the Christmas season: may it be one of joy, anticipation and ultimately worship!
If you’re interested in accredited training in schools work you can get in touch on jenni.osborn@schoolswork.co.uk! Further information available on the Enable website.
