Case Studies
Weston Road High School
During the Autumn term, fifteen families engaged in our Maths booster course to prepare Year 11 students for their GCSE examination. The four sessions were enthusiastically led, covering topics such as number, algebra, shape, data and calculator skills. Embedded in each of the sessions was a look at common misconceptions, mathematical reasoning and good exam techniques for both calculator and non-calculator examination questions.
In the final session, five parents took the opportunity to sit an ALAN test. All five passed with the equivalent of a grade B at GCSE Maths so the pressure is now on their sons and daughters also to do well in their exams, not only in Maths but all of their Mocks. Parents saw the whole experience as extremely positive and made the following comments:
"I would certainly recommend this to other parents - it would be valuable to have this for other subjects, especially around examination preparation and revision techniques"
"I thoroughly enjoyed it and could now help my daughter with her work, thank you"
Hazel Slade Primary School
Parents at Hazel Slade Primary School get a taste of Family Literacy and Numeracy with IT, delivered by Cannock Chase Technical College tutor Gareth Fallows. In this instance parents requested not to learn alongside their children (they wanted an opportunity to use the computers on their own without their offspring taking over!). "I can show my children what I've learned and I have even been able to show my husband things he didn't know!" was one comment. Another mum, delighted with the course, said "I use the P.C. now for doing family household accounts".
Draycott Manor Primary School
A 30 hour Family Learning programme at Draycott Manor Primary School, delivered by Leek College, has given parents and children the opportunity of working together to make storysacks. The course has been well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all. One dad, who would have no hesitation in recommending the experience, said "Me and my son do crafts at home but here we can learn new things. Staff are brilliant. I think it's marvellous to be able to come into school".
Tamworth Library
Parents and children of Two Gates Primary School look forward to their weekly trip to Tamworth Library as part of the 'Chatterbooks' programme, delivered in partnership with the Library Service. While the children enjoy exploring the facilities of this newly refurbished library parents can find out what's on offer and how they can help build on their children's enthusiasm. Ben's dad commented "I've always been interested in reading and because I work shifts I take the opportunity to come along with Ben when I can". Librarian Jean Glavey says that children can join the library at these sessions and then parents are children are then more likely to become regular library users.
Fulfen Primary School
Tamworth College works with families at Fulfen Primary School, Burntwood where a Family Finance programme has taken on an inter-generational dimension. Children, mums and a granddad have all been learning together. Hattie's granddad said "I'm here for my granddaughter and hope to gain a better education for her by helping her with her numeracy". Hattie, on the other hand, sees an additional advantage - "I like coming here because granddad helps me with my numbers and I get a chocolate biscuit". There's even a degree of healthy competition, as Chad, age 7, remarks "I come here because I like it and I learn maths with my mum, but I'm better than her !"
Rising Brook High School
Family Learning is not exclusively taking place in primary schools. There is a culture of family learning at Rising Brook High School where pupils, parents and grandparents learn together. Family Learning with a numeracy focus has followed on from a literacy based programme due to learner demand! Stafford College Adult Numeracy Tutor Paul Albery says "I have just started to get involved in Family Learning and will be doing more because Family Learning works". One aspiring mechanic in Year 8 who attends with his grandmother said "If any of my friends needed to improve their maths I'd tell them to come here". A member of the school staff who helps run the sessions says "It's surprising how involved the learners get. They won't give up until they get it right". Some of the learners have progressed
Castlechurch Primary School
The 30 hour Family Learning (numeracy) programme, run by Stafford College tutor Jane Arnold and Castlechurch Primary School teacher Laura Gray, attracts families who come in to school to make maths games. Tom's dad gets down to some serious business with his son but sees a bonus - "I stay at home to look after Tom. It's nice to be able to come and make a mess here instead of a home". Those with younger children can take advantage of the crèche facilities that the school provides.
Clough Hall Technology School
"People are having fun and they learn when they have fun". That's the belief of Family Art tutor Paul Robinson at Clough Hall Technology School. Paul runs two after-school art programmes and has successfully engaged pupils from local primary schools and their parents. One pupil from Reginald Mitchell Primary School said "I like drawing, painting and doing the mummy" (current work has an Egyptian theme and incorporates English, maths, geography, history, music and literacy).
Lansdowne Infants School
A Burton College tutor works with a teacher and a senior bilingual nursery nurse at Lansdowne Infants School which hosts a 72hour Family Literacy and Language programme. The sessions are always very well attended as parents enjoy the opportunity for social interaction as well as being eager to help their children. "Shaan loves to come and if I can't come and work with him his auntie will come instead" said one mum. Other mothers agree that it is lovely to have the chance to spend time in school with their child and to understand how they are learning.
Haregate Community Centre
Sure Start runs an Early Start Talk Together programme for babies from birth to one year at Haregate Community Centre, Leek. Parents learn about their children's development. As one mum says "I find the activities provide a good basis for play at home. It's quite difficult knowing how to get down to their level". The children gain too, as Bruce's mum explains "I think Bruce has picked up a lot of language through the activities". Another mum remarks "As a first time mom, if I hadn't come here I wouldn't have sung to Amy; I wouldn't have known the songs".
Cannock Chase Children's Centre
A 30 hour 'Baby Talk and Play' programme is a big success at Cannock Chase Children's Centre. Speech and Language Therapist Liz Biddulph explains that it is "a chance to do some preventative work in speech and language development". Isabelle's grandma, who has been coming to all the sessions, says "I mind my granddaughter while she works and we find it very rewarding". The session caters well for local needs as mum Gemma explains "Mathew joins children in the nursery while Daniel goes to the creche. We both really enjoy the sessions".
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