Research Projects
SchooLets
Contact Email: j.cannings@ippr.org
Introduction
This action research project has given schools the encouragement, advice and support to start their own community currencies (Local Exchange Trading Schemes or Time Banks). The aim has been to enable pupils, parents, staff and the wider community to exchange goods and services using an alternative local currency and, in doing so, encourage parental involvement, active citizenship education, and the transformation of schools into 'social capital banks'.
The pilot involved five primary and four secondary schools in London, Leeds, Liverpool, Surrey, Brighton and Cornwall. The primary schools tended to experience greatest success but valuable lessons were learnt from all schools. Many of these were drawn out by independent evaluations conducted by the Citizenship Foundation and New Economics Foundation.
The project was supported by CfBT, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Lloyds TSB Foundation and the Tuder Trust.
Those interested in setting up their own SchooLets can download the SchooLets Handbook below which includes practical advice and resources for schools. Hard copies are also available to purchase. See details on our publications page.
Publications
SchooLets Handbook
A guide to setting up a school-based community currency
This booklet sets out the lessons from nine pilot schemes, aiming to provide the knowledge and resources necessary to enable schools to start up their own community currencies.
Comprehensive investigation of current situation with family-school partnerships and what can be done to improve them.
With contributions from human rights experts, educationalists and practitioners, this report examines contemporary concepts of citizenship and their implications for education. It explores the relationship between the Citizenship curriculum and current social, political and cultural contexts.
Events
Technology Colleges Trust Online Conference
Read and discuss our paper "SchooLets/-Time Banks for Schools: An Innovative Approach to Engaging Parents and the Wider Community in the School" here...
30/11/1999 - 30/11/1999
Weapons of mass destruction?
Biotechnology and security to 2025
The prevailing conditions to 2025 could be conducive to a resurgence of biochemical weapons, says new ippr report
The future of the UK's international development agenda
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General election a crossroads for UK development policy, says new ippr report
An English backlash?
Reactions to devolution 10 years on
A new ippr report suggests increasing public resentment in England about Scotland’s share of public spending and growing support for an English parliament.
Do points mean prizes?
Migration policies and the poor
The Government should take impacts on developing nations into account when designing UK immigration policy, a new ippr report says