Schools
Students, Parents & Community Members that are actively engaged in the school community have better relationships with the school and this encourages learning. Can this be the common culture?

	Engaging Everybody in the School Community  Spice credits value time that students and/or parents and community members give to support their school community. The credits are earned by for time contributed to a menu of school community activities. The credits utilise ‘excess capacity’ in the school (e.g. school concerts and IT facilities) and in local leisure and recreational services (e.g. spare seats at the cinema) making the system low cost and sustainable. Engaging Students Students earn credits for time actively contributed to a menu of school community activities. Students can give their time to support the school and other students directly, (e.g. peer mentoring, student meetings, arts and environmental activities). Students can also earn credits for ‘volunteer’ opportunities in their community, including: a) ‘projects’ - in the arts, environment, community safety, health and social well being. Opportunities will also include: b) ‘learning by doing’ - whereby classroom learning is applied in the community, for example IT students supporting computer literacy with elderly community groups or arts students designing promotional material for local community events.   Increased Student Engagement The credits create a positive kudos to participation and student engagement increases dramatically. Student’s greater sense of ownership and empowerment results in:   Improved relationships with teachers   Better emotional, life and workplace skills Better behaviour and attendance More positive engagement in learning More confidence and therefore more accomplished learners Greater social and cultural responsibility Engaging Parents & The Neighbourhood Parents & local people earn credits for time actively contributed to a menu of school community activities. Parents & Local people can give their time to the extended community – where adult community members contribute to running local support groups, for example relating to personal health or money management; or to organising social events. Parents can also earn credits for time contributed to ‘direct learning support’ – for example by contributing to the delivery of after school learning, sports and recreational clubs or activities for school students. In some instances this will be extended to opportunities for volunteering during school time, with parents supporting school learning and activities. Increased Parents & Neighbourhood Engagement  Engaging parents in supporting school activities, empowers parents, builds bridges between parents and teachers and develops greater visible unity in supporting positive learning and behaviour. Greater involvement in the extended community helps to develop a safer, healthier and more vibrant community. This results in more parents and neighbours that are: More supportive of teachers Support learning at home Are more likely to re-enter learning themselves More informed and involved in ensuring accountability
	Case Studies & Evidence Spice credit systems have been highly effective at engaging young people, parents and community members. There is clear evidence for success. Read More   How to get Involved Spice credit systems can simply and affordably be integrated into schools to support student participation or extended communities. Read More