Westminster Innovation to Teach the Nation

After the anti-bullying story, which emanated from the local Quintin Kynaston School a month or so ago (see "The Youth, and Nothing but the Youth") below, I went to interview Vitto Farci, for a slightly more in-depth look at his work.

As the UK's youngest ever educational consultant, involved with a great deal of innovative work with Westminster Council, I felt Mr Farci was worthy of a story all of his own. The story was submitted, as usual, to the Wood & Vale. I am waiting to see which page it appears on, since it is not a time sensitive piece. So I'll get back to you on that!

Westminster Innovation to Teach the Nation.

A ground breaking approach to tackling student issues in a St John’s Wood school has paid dividends after its first term.

The pioneering scheme is now set to be rolled out to schools nationwide, via a series of forthcoming conferences.

Eighteen year old Vitto Farci took up a new position as the UK’s youngest ever educational consultant at Westminster Council in September, helping to bridge the gap between students and school governors.

Mr Farci, a Learning Support Assistant at Quintin Kynaston (QK) School, and Educational Consultant at three other Westminster Schools, adopted his position after chairing the Student Voice Faculty at Quintin Kynaston while still a student.

The faculty is one of the largest and most active student voice organisations in the UK, providing a channel for students to voice their opinions concerning all aspects of their education.

Last year, QK Student Voice hosted the first Student Voice conference, involving schools from across London.

Next year, the faculty is set to host a second series of conferences, which for the first time will include representatives from schools across England, to communicate the QK Student Voice ethos loud and clear.

As Mr Farci says: “We’ve touched the surface at local authority level and, as Westminster is leading the way, I think we need to carry on spreading that nationally.

“QK has always done some very cutting edge work. It was as a result of our progress last year, that the Westminster Head of School Standards, Daria Wignall, suggested creating a consulting roll.”

After four months in the role, Mr Farci has worked closely with four Westminster schools including Hallfield School and QK, and is set to expand his role to include more schools in the Spring term.

“I am trying to take the message; that students should not just be seen as learners, but can actively contribute to the educational community; and implant it into other schools.

“As QK Student voice like to say: ‘It’s the voice of the majority that should be heard by the minority in power.’”