How to start an SU Group - Scripture Union Scotland

Team Leaders’ Manual – School SU Groups
Bear in mind that an SU Group is, first and foremost, an extra-curricular club for the school so the
approval of the school is paramount and relies on the Head teacher’s assessment of you and of your
proposal. Prepare well for this meeting. A further implication of this is that the group is ‘governed’
primarily by school policies and secondly by SU policies. For example it will operate under the
schools child protection policy which you should be sure to see, read and be able to apply. For
example find out who the member of senior staff is to whom you would report any child protection
concerns.
Some other questions may well come up later with the school and these are listed in the parallel
paper.
1.1.7 Make sure that you and your leaders are properly prepared for your group
Agree in advance what materials you will use. Here are some suggestions, and there are always
more in our Network News magazine, issued to SU group leaders twice a year and available from SU
& Associate staff in your area. Back copies are on our website at
www.suscotland.org.uk/networknews.
Primary: Eyelevel books and DVDs such as Awesome, Streetwise, Rocky Road and Target Challenge
from SU publications; Impact or Fusion (Monarch); LIGHT Material (SU “Sunday School” material)
from www.lightlive.org or SU group outlines on www.schoolslive.org ;
Secondary: Resources on the www.suscotland.org.uk/resources page; secondary materials on
www.schoolslive.org ; SUbstance (SU publications) a growing series of senior secondary material;
The Grid (from the SU LIGHT Material normally associated with Sunday Schools)
There are also the chapters on Resources and Planning in the SU Group Leaders Manual.
You will also need to consider how prepared you are to discipline children and young people in
setting the boundaries for your group.
1.1.8 Advertise your group to those whom you would like to see coming
Try to generate an awareness and anticipation for the group starting. In primary schools it may well
be appropriate to send a letter home to parents (even if there is no return slip to sign off. Look on
the SU Scotland website and download logos if you want to use them:
www.suscotland.org.uk/about/corporate-identity
Being able to talk to people face to face will be more significant than an email, notice read out in
class or poster on the wall – though these ideas can still be used. Ask for some input to assemblies
or a presence in a central area of the school at breaks. Some SU Volunteers have been instrumental
to starting a Clubs and Societies Fair in their school where you could invite responses to short
questionnaires. In subsequent years, group member s may help in this process as well.
Consider contacting local churches and youth groups to help the group reach a critical mass early on.
1.1.9 Personally invite those who you would like to see coming
January 2012