Schools & Youth
Standing by our young people
Our Schools Team currently work regularly in 5 local schools across the Brighton & Hove area.
We deliver weekly clubs, workshops and 1-1 support, as well as pioneering prayer and reflection spaces.
“On behalf of the Year 7 team, we would like to say a huge thank you to and all your team for their support and help. It’s been a pleasure working with you all. Our year 7s have really benefited from having you around.”
What we do
Prayer and Reflection Spaces
We create a vibrant and challenging environment to explore the meaning and significance of prayer, working with schools to make sure they get the most out of SMSC and RE curricula.
Clubs and Safe Spaces
We currently offer a variety of safe and welcoming environments for all students, especially the more vulnerable in the wider school setting.
We also offer Christian clubs, which give the students a safe place to explore their faith in a culturally relevant way and ask the big questions about life. These clubs offer great opportunities to talk about values such as forgiveness and compassion through the stories and teachings of the Bible.
Mentoring
We currently offer one to one mentoring and group mentoring to help students find positive ways of dealing with the challenges they face in a non-judgmental safe environment.
We also offer transition mentoring to support students through the move from primary to secondary school.
The people we help
The year just gone marked a return to a form of normality and we enjoyed getting back into schools on a regular basis. Judging by the numbers opposite, so did they!
Free classroom resources!
Where’s Your Head At?
Group work packages for schools – each comprised of 6 sessions and accompanied by teacher notes, student booklets and a PowerPoint presentation.
Head Over
Moving up to secondary school
Target age: Year 6
Some students find change difficult. Head Over gives year 6 students a chance to think through their questions and worries about the move up to Secondary School.
Head Start
Making the most of Year 7
Target age: Year 7
Starting secondary school can be daunting for some students. ‘Head Start’ will help students to think through some of their worries and reflect on the changes of starting at a new school.
Head Start
For Year 8
Target age: Year 8
A year in, and secondary school can be still be a difficult place for some to navigate. Head Start for year 8 helps students to think through some of their hopes and fears as they settle into year 8.
Head Full
Give your brain a break!
Target age: Years 7-8
Head Full contains different activities and discussion topics to help students better understand anxiety e.g. what it is, how our bodies react, what our personal triggers might be and how anxiety can be a strength.
Head Up
Keep your Head Up
Target age: Years 7-9
Head Up is all about how we are all unique and have something different to offer the world. Looking at themes such as body-image, self-esteem, gender stereotypes and friendships we’ll aim to increase students’ confidence around their own identity and sense of belonging.
Head Sense
Keeping a clear head
Target age: Years 9-10
Head Sense helps students think about where they might be vulnerable and how to protect themselves from physical and emotional harm. Covering topics such as what it’s like to be a teenager, staying safe in romantic relationships, online safety and the influence of drugs and alcohol ‘Head Sense’ gives students a space to examine risk and equip themselves.
Head Together
Building healthy relationships
Target age: Years 7-9
Healthy relationships take time and effort to build and maintain. ‘Head Together’ helps students to explore friendship and familial relationships through topics such as peer pressure, communication, respect and dealing with disappointment.
Head Space
A safe space to talk about grief
Target age: Years 7-11
Head Space is an adaptable group work that supports students who have been bereaved. From discussing death as a taboo in British culture to exploring creative ways to remember people this course offers a safe space to support students in their grief.
Head Block
Lifting the lid on anger
Target age: Years 7-11
Anger is a natural, human emotion – so why does it cause us so much hassle? This is a course that looks at what anger is, what makes us angry and how we can healthily express and manage our feelings.
Prayer Space in a Box
Interactive prayer activities for schools that can be run in a Covid-safe way in any classroom.
Primary
5 prayer activities aimed at primary school age.
Secondary
5 prayer activities aimed at secondary school age.
Advent Prayer Journal
5 festive prayer activities for secondary school students.
“If it has been a horrible week, I can let go of all my feelings knowing that they won’t laugh at me, will listen to me and it will be a fun time. It’s great to start the week off happy”
Follow @OTFschools on Instagram
Volunteer with Schools & Youth
Contact Lizzi Demetriou for more information:
schools@offthefence.org.uk or call 01273 977980
Please donate to our work today.
Please help us continue to deliver vital services to those most in need in Brighton & Hove.