INFORMATION PACK 2013

This pack contains information on CONNECTED PRAYER SPACE and how it could fit into your school
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CONNECTED is an organisation based in Ipswich offering a number of different RE and PSHE packages to local schools. Packages include CONNECTED PRAYER SPACE, CHRISTMAS CONNECTED and EASTER CONNECTED. This document contains further information about CONNECTED PRAYER SPACE.

Vision: Our vision at CONNECTED is to open up opportunities for children and young people to explore faith and spirituality in a creative and tangible way that captures their imagination. We aim to serve both teachers and pupils in providing a programme which compliments the RE and PSHE curriculum and helps to bring their learning to life.

CONNECTED PRAYER SPACE provides a safe and non-threatening space for children and young people to explore faith and spirituality in a creative and interactive way. A range of flexible resources can be adapted to work for participants aged 5 to 18 bringing an experiential dimension to a variety of subject areas including RE and PSHE. CONNECTED PRAYER SPACE is an interactive space which is set up in a school for one week. This gives pupils the opportunity to take time and space out of their busy school day to think and reflect about life, God and themselves. It is designed to be accessible to children of any or no faith.

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Format: The CONNECTED PRAYER SPACE setup is always dependant on the room available in each school. An ideal room would be a classroom, library or other available room in which the CONNECTED PRAYER SPACE equipment can remain set up for the length of the event. Equipment can include; small tents, gazebos, drapes, cushions, rugs, and lighting. We aim to be flexible and adaptable and the room available will somewhat determine content and format. Possible formats include 45 minute to 1 hour lessons with a full class, 20-30 minute sessions with smaller groups and drop-in style sessions during breaks and lunchtimes. Below are some example formats for a CONNECTED PRAYER SPACE.

Example format 1: A school hall is available for the entire length of the event. In the centre of the hall is a gazebo with foam flooring. A whole class will visit this space for a 1 hour lesson. On entering the space the class will sit under the central gazebo for an introduction. They will also return to this space at the end for the plenary. After the introduction the class will be split into four smaller groups and rotate around four themed areas set up around the hall. Each area may be in a tent, under a gazebo or partitioned off from the rest of the hall and will contain 2-3 activities centered around a similar theme. Themes could be thankfulness, world issues, hopes and dreams and forgiveness.

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Example format 2: A small room which used to be an IT suite is available for use for the entire length of the event. The room will be set up using drapes and rugs to create different themed areas. Groups of 8-10 children will visit the space for a 30 minute session where they will be guided round the different activities in each area. Introduction and plenary sessions could happen as a whole class in their normal classrooms or as a whole school assembly. The room will be open during break and lunch times for pupils to revisit any activities or to spend more time out reflecting and being still.

Content: The content of CONNECTED PRAYER SPACE can be tailored to your school. Optional themes include thankfulness, hopes and dreams, moving on, justice and world issues, letting go of worries and hurt, time to be still, big questions and identity. We love to personalise each event and include themes specific to your school. If you have school values or specific issues we can cover during the event, these can be discussed with your CONNECTED event coordinator. Please ask your CONNECTED event coordinator for a more comprehensive list of optional activities and how they compliment the RE curriculum.

Delivery: CONNECTED PRAYER SPACE is delivered by a professional, qualified childrens worker along with a team of volunteers. Volunteers usually come from a church local to your school but parents and school governors are also welcome to volunteer. If you are a church school this can provide great linking opportunities for your school and local church. All volunteers receive training on content delivery and a safeguarding briefing.

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Feedback: "It was a really calm atmosphere" Girl, Yr 6. "For them to have the time to just sit and think is lovely because a school day is normally just rush, rush, rush!" Teacher, St. Matthews School, Ipswich. "The best bit was putting your anger in the water and watching it disappear" Boy, Yr 3. "It made praying fantastic and I learnt lots." Boy, Yr 6. "It was a lovely afternoon." Girl, Yr 3.

Safeguarding: CONNECTED has its own set of safeguarding guidelines which all volunteers must read and sign. In addition, we always work within the health and safety guidelines, and child protection policy of each school we work in. Please see a copy of the CONNECTED safeguarding guidelines within this pack.

Cost: A fee of 150 per day is necessary to cover the planning, admin and resources required to facilitate a CONNECTED PRAYER SPACE event in your school. A 20% deposit is required to secure your booking and the remaining balance will be due one week before the event. An introductory offer of 500 per 4day week is available on all bookings made by the end of 2013 when a 20% deposit is paid.

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Contact details: To book a CONNECTED PRAYER SPACE event please contact Jeni Wicks on jeni.connected@gmail.com or call 01473 604695 leave a message and well get back to you as soon as we can.

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Child Protection & Other Guidelines These are brief guidelines for all adults working with children and young people (all under 18s) at CONNECTED events in schools. They exist for your own protection and that of the children and young people you are working with. Summary statement As organisers and adults working with children we all have a duty of care towards the children who attend. This means that you are responsible for taking action to prevent harm in any situation where you become aware of a risk or hazard to children. In School We are visitors to the school and work with the permission of the Head Teacher and senior management, and under their authority. The project line manager for CONNECTED is Jeni Wicks Within the School we are responsible to insert name (insert job title). Always sign in when you arrive and sign out when you leave. Wear your visitors badge at all times where it can be seen. Use only staff toilets, which are located insert location. Do not accompany children to the toilet. They can go by themselves.

Work together - there should be a minimum of two adults, at least one of each gender, in the CONNECTED space whenever there are children present. There will be at least (insert number) adults present when a class of children is using the prayer space. Never be on your own with a child where you cant be observed. Work appropriately - Avoid any contact with children which is, or could be interpreted as being, inappropriate, sexual or violent (words, threats, jokes, actions). Do not take secrets out of the school - if you are told about a situation of abuse, anything illegal or potentially harmful, you must pass this information immediately to insert name who is the senior designated member of staff for Child Protection, or insert name who is the deputy designated member of staff for Child Protection. You should also make your own notes about the conversation as soon as possible and before leaving the school and leave it with one of the above named. Disclosure of abuse - Dont promise confidentiality. If a child wants to talk to you about abuse - listen, dont investigate. Let them know that you will need to tell a senior member of staff that the conversation has taken place. Assure them they are not to blame and that they have done the right thing by telling you. You should also make your own notes about the conversation as soon as possible and before leaving the school. A copy of these notes should be left with insert name or insert name. Violent or threatening behaviour Always try to defuse the situation but do not put yourself or others in a dangerous situation. If in doubt, back off. Call for help as a first priority. First Aid contact the school reception to send for one of the school first aiders or ask the member of staff present with the class. Reporting incidents or injuries Inform a member of staff as soon as possible. You will also be required to complete an incident report form.

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why not check out

CONNECTEDS
other packages?
CHRISTMAS CONNECTED gives pupils the opportunity to explore the Christian Christmas story through a multi-sensory experience of interactive activities and storytelling. Children become part of the story journeying with Mary, Joseph and other characters connecting all the parts of the story together.

EASTER CONNECTED is a multi-sensory experience where the Christian Easter story can be explored through interactive activities and storytelling. Pupils collect pieces of the puzzle whilst connecting the story together for themselves.

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