Yesterday I had the privilege of working with 30 wonderful head teachers from Merton, on strengths based leadership and well-being.
One of the highlights of the day was listing to the the story told by Celia Dawson, head teacher of Cricket Green http://www.cricketgreen.merton.sch.uk/.
Celia told us the story of Project Search http://www.cricketgreen.merton.sch.uk/project-search/4578432848
Project SEARCH changes the way people think as it challenges ideas about what people with a learning disability can do. It raises expectations of employability and the general public can see people with a learning disability hard at work as part of everyday life.
Only 7% of people with learning disabilities nationally are in any form of paid work, compared with 74% of the wider population. However, many of Cricket Green’s trainees are now in meaningful employment within a local hospital and externally.
We used the #strengths circle reflection tool which I have developed in the course of my work to identify the many strengths that we felt Celia had used to get this important project off the ground. It was, for me, a humbling and inspiring experience. Thank you Celia!
Jennifer Fox Eades: Alexander Technique Teacher 