5 practical steps for a youthworker to take in approaching a school

Last September I started a new role here in London with the Sutton Schools Christian Workers Trust (try saying that a few times quickly!). I’m the secondary schools coordinator for this particular London Borough which means that I have the awesome privilege of coordinating and developing Christian schools work for 15 secondary schools here. I actually began my schools work ‘career’ about 10 years ago in Australia as a school chaplain with Scripture Union and I have to say that I’m even more passionate and excited now about schools ministry than when I first began! The opportunity to enable and encourage students to explore faith at an age when they’re asking the big questions of life is an absolute privilege and one that we must never take for granted.

Over the past 10 years I’ve made lots of mistakes along the way (not intentionally!!) but hopefully I’ve learnt a few things too! So, if you’re a youth worker who longs to make a difference in the local school and connect more fully with the teenage community, then here are a few tips on how you might go about it.

1. Do your homework… it’s OK, I’m not suggesting you have to start writing assignments or essays! What I am suggesting though is that before you approach a school, get as much information as you can about the school so that you can get a feel for what sort of educational institution it is and what they’re striving to be and achieve. All schools these days have websites so it’s pretty straightforward finding out about the history, curriculum, size, policies, specialities, latest news etc of a school. I’ve often also spoken to a few students, parents, even the local police about a school just to get an overall feel for it from different community perspectives.

2. Arrange a meeting with the Head Teacher… Now that you have an informed feel for how the school operates, get in touch with Head Teacher and arrange to meet up. In my experience this is best done by a phone call as emails tend to get stuck in the huge inbox of a busy Head Teacher! Explain over the phone who you are, what you do and your desire to learn more about the local school and explore ways of possibly serving there. I have found that Head Teachers generally love sharing about their school and their passion for what they’d love to achieve with the students. Don’t forget that most Head Teachers are Head Teachers because they too love working with young people! You already have something profoundly in common with each other!!

3. The meeting... this is an incredibly exciting opportunity to hear first-hand about the school and because you’ve done your homework you’ll be able to ask informed, discerning and sensitive questions about the place. I cannot tell you how much it has meant to the Head Teachers I’ve met with to know that I’ve done my homework and am taking the meeting seriously. Whether we like it or not, sometimes youth workers are stereotyped as disorganised, flippant and unreliable. This is a great way of saying, ‘I’m serious and I’m here to serve’!

It’s really important though that you turn up to this meeting without any hidden motives or agendas. As youth workers we need to approach schools with a genuine heart to hear what the needs are and consider how we may be able to meet some of those needs. Having now worked with numerous secondary schools, I have found that each place has varied considerably and so it’s important that you go with an open heart and mind.

4. What would you like to do? Now having just said that we are to attend those meetings to listen, whatever you do, be ready to answer the question… ‘so what would you like to do?’. I’ll never forget the first time I met with a Head Teacher. I was so excited about listening to all that he had to say about his school but about ten minutes into the meeting he was so excited about how I could come in and support the students that he said ‘so what would you like to do?’. I had no idea!! I hadn’t even thought about what it was I could actually do for the school. I was totally caught off-guard! So what could you offer? Could you take regular assemblies? Are you interested in helping deliver some of the RE or PSHE curriculum? If so, what year groups are you best with and what subjects would you feel comfortable to teach? Do you have a gift in sports coaching? Would you be able to deliver 6th form conferences? Are you interested or gifted in mentoring/pastoral care?

Here in the UK I have found that schools particularly jump at the opportunity to have Christian youth workers come and take assemblies, or speak in RE classes to provide a personal faith perspective or perhaps run a lunchtime Christian Union. These are fantastic ways to help the school meet some of their curriculum and Ofsted requirements and become a familiar face to the students.

5. More meetings! If the Head Teacher has been positive about your possible involvement in the school, ask if you can follow up your meeting by getting together with the Head of the RE Department, the School Assembly Coordinator, the teacher who leads the Christian Union club etc. In my experience, if you’ve met with the Head Teacher and he/she has given the green light to look at possibilities, then the other meetings will take place very quickly and easily. During those meetings share what was discussed with the Head Teacher and get more specific about the time commitment you’re able to make and what areas of expertise you bring to their department. Could you help lead the CU each week? Are you ready to take an RE lesson tomorrow regarding Christian views of dispensationalism and new covenant theology? Know what you can offer and be realistic. Always follow up these meetings with an email to confirm what you’ve said you can do for them and to verify dates for assemblies/lessons.

During these meetings also ask important questions like what is the school dress code? Many schools don’t allow jeans to be worn in their school and it’s important that we abide by all the school rules! Are there specials needs students to consider? What IT equipment are you able to use? What is the policy about discipline in the classroom? Who do I call if I’m sick and unable to get to the school etc etc. This again shows that you’re taking your role and the school seriously and want to be a blessing!

With the initial meetings done and dates in the diary, you’re ready to get stuck in! But don’t forget one important step that should be the foundation of the entire process… PRAYER! Make sure you commit all of the above steps to God and seek His wisdom and guidance as you seek to be a blessing to the school.

By Melissa Piper