Information for parents and guardians
Your Turn is Common Purpose's programme for 13-15-year-olds who want to take the lead either now or in the future.
What does it mean to be a Your Turn participant?
Your child is one of a group of young people from different schools, all of whom are 13-15 years old. Each school has selected three young people to take part in the Your Turn programme this year. As participants representing their schools, we ask students to act in a responsible, self-disciplined and polite way at all times.
What is a Your Turn programme day?
All Your Turn Programmes consist of eight programme days. Each programme day runs within school hours, usually 9.00 am to 3.30 pm. On programme days, your child's school will release them from school and they will meet up with the rest of the Your Turn group at different locations around the area depending on the topic of the day. As part of the Your Turn group, your child will have the chance to talk to, visit and experience a range of different people, organisations and activities.
Who is in charge of the Your Turn programme days?
The Your Turn Programme Director is in charge. In addition, other adults, called Advisers, will be working to support the group and there will always be a woman present.
What is the role of the Your Turn contact teacher?
The role of the Your Turn contact teacher nominated by the school is to pass information about the programme from the Your Turn Programme Director to the participants at school.
How important is attendance?
Attendance on a Your Turn programme is compulsory. This means that your child has to make every effort to attend all three programme days. If they know in advance that they will not be able to attend a programme day, they must notify the school in advance and obtain authorisation from the headteacher for their absence. If they are unwell on the morning of a programme day, you must contact the school by the agreed time and ask them to inform the Your Turn Programme Director.
What about the transport arrangements?
Transport arrangements will have been agreed between the contact teacher and the Your Turn Programme Director. Safety on all journeys is based on common sense:
- Participants will be required to wear a seatbelt on all journeys to and from school and visits on the programme day.
- They must not distract the driver or behave disruptively on any journey on the programme day.
What about illness, accidents and emergency procedures?
In the case of any accidents, injury or emergencies on a programme day, the Your Turn Programme Director has agreed procedures with the school for contacting the school and/or the students' parents/guardians. In the event of an emergency, at no time will students be left unaccompanied and all reasonable steps will be taken to ensure their safety and security. The Your Turn Programme Director always carries a first aid kit and accident book. If participants are taking medication, they must look after it themselves
What about participants' property?
Common Purpose takes no responsibility for loss or damage to possessions. Please do not bring valuables to the programme day.
Common Purpose requires the consent of parents/guardians of Your Turn participants before they can attend the three programme days. We recognise our duty of care to young people during these days and undertake to do our utmost to ensure the safety of all participants. We check all venues and transport arrangements used during the programme to ensure a high safety standard.
