“Exclusions from the school system are a significant challenge that we must tackle as a society, and Will is working not only on a critical issue but also in an under-served coastal community which makes his work even more important. We are proud to support this initiative that will help bring more children back into the mainstream schooling system.”
GINA CICERONE AND SAM BUTTERS, CO-CEO’S FAIR EDUCATION ALLIANCE
About The Re-engagement Project and Will Ross
he Re-engagement Project helps in-school “behaviour” units support vulnerable children with social, emotional, and mental health needs alongside their families. Their aim is to work with the system around the child to identify and overcome barriers preventing children from thriving, thereby avoiding exclusions.
Will Ross has spent the last 10 years working with excluded children and those at risk of exclusion in PRUs, APs, primary, secondary and special schools. He became increasingly frustrated seeing children excluded who just needed the right support and those excluded struggling to get back into mainstream education for the same reason.
Over the last 5 years, Will has been developing aspects of the model while in post at Camden Centre for Learning (PRU and special school), Islington SEMH Outreach Service and Pears Family School. The Innovation Award will give him the support and resources to build on the best practice he has seen in these roles as well as learn from the FEA and their members.
In the coming year, Will intends to further research approaches integrated into the project, including systemic family therapy and project-based learning, while piloting aspects of the project in a school in Margate.
Will says, “I have spent my years in schools and PRUs seeing children excluded who needn’t be and those excluded unable to get back in. This Award will give me the support and resources to develop a model to help prevent this. Thank you FEA.”