Grit unleashed
As the shoots of spring are appearing, it feels like a time of ideas, deep thinking and germination here at Grit. We know that the next few years present a potentially challenging time and we also know that Grit has a conversation, a way of working, that can support people as they navigate these choppy waters. So, we need to think – individually, collectively, collaboratively – about how to create space for deep, high quality conversations, reflection and challenge during this tricky time.
You’ll see from the stories below that we are hosting conversations on the back of independent evaluations of our work relating to two key areas of delivery: our programmes for Students of Colour and our programmes for Staff Teams. These are opportunities to share what we’ve learnt with other institutions, organisations, leaders and practitioners but – perhaps more importantly – are also an opportunity to connect to those who our work is designed for and create a dialogue about transformation, about using adversity to fire up change.
We all need these communities and networks with likeminded souls to share a vision for now as well as for the future that keeps us nourished and inspired. If these conversations are relevant to you or someone you know please do spread the word and/or sign up yourselves. We’d love you to be there.
It's also particularly exciting right now to be part of the important work that the University of Portsmouth is doing to set up a regional Boys’ Impact Hub – this work is being led nationally by Alex Blower and is well worth your attention. The series Adolescence on Netflix has inspired a new level of conversation about the issues confronting working class boys and we are delighted to be part of a programme bringing a community together to think differently and inspire change.
So, a time of thinking, of planting ideas, of cultivating networks and communities. I look forward to reporting on what grows from these conversations and activities and – as always – am open to hearing any thoughts, ideas or suggestions you may have for us.
Ellie
Grit Unleashed
Take a deep dive with us into the university experience for Black students and Students of Colour across the UK in a day co-designed and co-delivered by student participants themselves alongside Grit Breakthrough Programmes and Nottingham Trent University.
Hear from students about their university experience and how Grit impacted them
Share thoughts and insights with programme alumni and fellow professionals about your own challenges, and potential solutions
Learn what the independent evaluators found
Get a taste of the approach and an experience of how it works
Hear from university partners about the fit with Participation and EDI strategies and what makes a successful implementation
The day is open to interested staff at universities, schools and other organisations who are committed to creating change. It is taking place on June 5th from 11am to 3pm at Nottingham Trent University.
Email vicky@grit.org.uk by 25 April to book a place
Talking about Transformation
The Institute of Education at Nottingham Trent University undertook an evaluation of the Grit approach to Local Authority training for Children’s Services teams. This is what they found …
Read the evaluation findings:
So join us for Talking about transformation - a conversation about how local authority staff teams are navigating the challenges of supporting young people- on 14th May in person at Nottingham Trent Uninesrity or via Teams. More details here.
Email vicky@grit.org.uk to sign up.
Taking Boys Seriously
“Decades of research suggests that boys and young men from under-resourced communities are more likely not to attain 5 A-C GCSE grades and that they are under-represented in Higher Education.” (Taking Boys Seriously Research Project, Ulster University)
So we’re thrilled to be supporting the University of Portsmouth in the setting up of a regional Boys Impact Hub to bring together stakeholders across the local area to address these issues. Join us for a stakeholder kick-off session at the University of Portsmouth on 22nd April, 12:30-16:30. For more details and sign up go here.
Grit in Press
It’s a matter of national health: with the NHS staffing and recruitment crisis it’s time to change the corrosive resilience narrative in healthcare education from one about survival and just getting through to one about thriving, learning and growing. Read our Wonkhe blog, co authored with Jill Morgan Director of Learning and Teaching in Healthcare Sciences at Cardiff University…
… Meanwhile, over on HE Professional we are Re-Thinking Employability: Gen Z and the End of the Old Certainties along with Anna Matei, Head of Futures at the London Interdisciplinary School. Why is there such a cultural dissonance between Gen Z and employers around attitudes and behaviours in the workplace? And what are lessons employers can learn from how HE had adapted in recent years?
