“You are the system” ~ a motivational message from NAVSH '22
By Laura Slater
After two years of disruption with school closures, lockdowns and covid restrictions, it is safe to say that the NAVSH conference 2022 was long-awaited and highly anticipated.
With talks from the Children’s Commissioner, Ofsted, the Association of School and College Leaders, researchers at the Oxford Rees Centre, the Department for Education, Youth Panels and more; the two days did not disappoint.
The conference was set on fire with a keynote speech from Jaz Ampaw-Farr, who began with an amusing recount of her “addiction to appearing on reality TV shows”, most famously appearing on the Best of Blind Date (for the worst date), and as the first ever teacher to be a contestant on The Apprentice, celebrating failures with great candour and humour.
Jaz explained the role of her Primary teacher, Mrs. Cook, who told her “you would make a fantastic teacher”.
These words would prove powerful for adolescence, Jaz was thrown into situations that no child and young person should ever have to endure; situations that found her running away from home and in a lingerie shop with a pimp, where she found herself thinking “Mrs Cook would not wear this” and subsequently ran to the local police station, finding safety and foster care.
Virtual Schools (being a relatively recent phenomenon) were not around when Jaz was in care, and so it was with sincerity that she thanked the entire community of Virtual School Heads for the work they do, and the children and young people who they work hard to protect and give a voice. From right at the back, you could feel her passion and emotion being felt right across the room.
“As a homeless teenager, no one asks your name, no one smiles at you and no one touches you. ”
Virtual School teams play a vital role in advocating and providing for children and young people, who are often lost from the view of society. Upon hearing of the extension of Virtual School remit to include not just the education and provision for children in care, but also to cover every child with a social worker, Jaz “does the dance”, knowing the importance of having one person who is there, which is so vital in a young person’s development.
I thought of our tutors and the work they do with hundreds of children and young people across the country who have faced similar adversities to Jaz, and how they build trusting relationships to overcome trauma and build their futures. I felt privileged to be in this room and part of this community. People are not in it for the money, this is about meaning, impact and making a difference to children’s lives.
Jaz emphasised the importance of keeping the belief in ourselves and in the system. At a time when so many teachers are leaving the profession and there is a high turnover of social workers, it was a welcome message:
“People come into education to change the system but the system crushes them - never forget you are the system”
Key motivational messages included:
Turning judgement into curiosity
Owning your own excellence
Taking care of yourself
Virtual School Heads and teachers are a beacon of hope, “strong and sturdy like a lighthouse” helping children and young people and their families navigate choppy waters.
Jaz concluded her talk with a sincere and heartfelt thank you to the audience “on behalf of the children whose lives you have touched & the children and young people you’re thinking of - you are the Everyday Heroes”.
Standing ovation.
You can watch Jaz’s TEDx Talk here and sign up for a FREE workshop on kicking imposter syndrome to the kerb.
