DEFINITION

definition of community action · Community Action links together Secondary Schools with Special Schools, Institutions and other placements and creates a new Partnership of Learning · Community Action is a voluntary, certificated activity in the curriculum of General Schools which will help students of today to become informed, resourceful and committed citizens of tomorrow · A Community Action Programme involves students committing themselves to weekly visits to a local Special School, Institution or other placement to make contact with children and adults there and engage them in a programme of activities which will facilitate the process of educational development and social integration between the volunteers and the children and adults · Community Action is usually offered to pupils in grades 8 - 12 (about 14 – 18 years) in General Schools. · Community Action is organised by a teacher (in a General School) acting as the Coordinator for Community Action in that General School and responsible for the recruitment of volunteers and the organisation of the Community Action Programme. Enthusiasm, initiative and energy are some of the qualities required by Coordinators. Each General School Coordinator will have a partner Community Action Coordinator in their “linked” Special School/Institution, who will have the same qualities. 