Learning at home, learning at school

Curriculum workshops

The second scheme is a curriculum-focussed workshops package. This comprises workshop materials; mapped to Key Stages, to be delivered with parents in a school setting, and a programme of training for school staff to ensure sustainability. The approach was developed in Tower Hamlets with Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) funding.

The main success criteria are;

raised levels of pupil achievement and attendance
parents reporting increased knowledge and understanding of curriculum, and
schools using the materials on a sustainable basis

The scheme was selected for the project as an example of a flexible curriculum-oriented model that has a very direct link to attainment and standards. It aims to engage parents in their children's learning in a very direct way, and has the advantage of transferring ownership of the workshops to the school once the initial staff training is completed.

Working with Families was selected for the project as an example of a whole school capacity-building approach towards involving parents in their children's learning. It centres on a particular role (the Family Support Worker) for brokering access to resources on behalf of families, and ensuring two-way knowledge exchange between school and home.

The action research stage of the project will entail transferring elements of the model from Tower Hamlets to Northampton, with support from the local authorities involved.