family learning project

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Family Learning Project

Family Learning projects have been running in primary schools in Brighton & Hove since January 1999, funded by partnerships between the LEA, Standards Fund, the Education Action Zone and SRB. The principal objective of these courses is to raise standards of literacy and numeracy amongst under-achieving parents and their young children.

The courses are run on a Basic Skills Agency model of provision - we work with parents and their children (aged between three and five) for two mornings a week for ten or twelve weeks. During this time parents (or carers, even grandparents) work with an Adult Basic Skills Tutor to brush up their own skills. They also learn about the early stages of literacy and numeracy, and look at ways in which they can help their children learn.

The children have separate sessions with a primary teacher at this time, with literacy or numeracy activities appropriate to their age group. The joint sessions for parents and children often focus on a practical activity, such as cooking or making books - or a visit to the library or local shops; the aim is to encourage early learning whilst having fun!

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The Project's Progress

Since the courses started, over 80% of parents have completed Open College Network accreditation and many have gone on to further education or training; parents also report that they feel more confident about their role in helping their children and have a better understanding of what schools do. Schools have reported not only gains in educational achievement in pupils, but also gains in confidence in parents and children, and an improved relationship between schools and parents.

Since the initial pilot project the programme has continued to expand and we are now able to fund approximately five courses each term.

For further information, please contact:
Family Learning Team
Tel: (01273) 294205
E-mail: family learning