The Background: The Family Learning team has been working alongside other professionals in York for nearly 25 years. Whilst courses are continually evolving to meet local and national priorities, you can be assured that we’re in it for the long haul!
The team is made up of qualified teachers, with up to date primary and early years knowledge, experienced support staff, and a manager with many years experience of targeted outreach and community development. We deliver workshops and courses across the city, in key areas, schools and community venues – and now online too – providing support for parents, grandparents and carers to build strong home learning environments for their children and to move on and achieve in their own lives too.
Evidence Based: Data collected both locally and nationally as well as numerous research projects have shown that Family Learning programmes have multiple impacts, on the adult learners, their children, their families and their communities.* which is why it’s so effective in raising aspirations and breaking cycles of disadvantage. In 2021-22, we are being supported by Shine Educational Trust and Huntington Research School, working with a number of schools to monitor the impact of Family Learning adult learners on specific aspects of children’s progress at school, particularly through those important early years.
How Does It Work? We are funded by central government, through the Adult Skills Budget, so all of our courses are FREE to eligible adults. Our targets are to widen participation, break cycles of disadvantage and support adults to increase their skills in supporting children’s learning but also in gaining adult qualifications in English and maths for themselves. (Almost one third of adults don’t have English skills at level 2, needed for many jobs; in maths it’s over a half.)
We know that all parents want what’s best for their kids – even if sometimes there are huge barriers to overcome which makes this very challenging – but having children is a great motivator for people to engage in learning – and this is why Family Learning is so successful. If you are reading this, you probably know families who may want or need just that little bit of additional support and we are always keen to take referrals from schools, pre-school settings, local area and health teams, and partner organisations.
If you would like one of us to come along to talk to your team, please get in touch: fiona.himsworth@york.gov.uk
Together we can make a difference!
Our local offer is based on the EAST model:
Easy |
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Courses are adapted to work with learners at a level they feel comfortable with, setting group and individual SMART targets, working collaboratively to achieve their aims. Progression pathways are planned so that learners are able to build on what they have learned and move on to higher level courses, including some with access to nationally recognised qualifications. |
Accessible |
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We have courses both face to face and online (using Zoom) and can support people to get started if necessary. We run workshops and courses where possible in early years settings, in schools, libraries and community venues, close to where people live, often with free childcare available, at times to fit in with school and nursery drop off and pick up times. |
Sociable |
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One of the best things about Family Learning is the connection between tutor and learners. We encourage our adult learners to share their learning experiences and tips, fully acknowledging the fact that parents are experts in their own right. Friendships made through Family Learning classes often remain long after the courses have finished. |
Timely |
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Our support is there when people need it at times in their lives when it matters to them, when they have young children or at key transition stages, for instance when a child starts primary school or when the adult is looking for employment or a change in career direction. |