These are 3 of the recommendations from an inquiry into Family Learning in England and Wales
- “…. Should be integral to school strategies to raise children’s attainment and narrow the gap between the lowest and highest achievers.”
- “…….. Should be a key element of adult learning and skills strategies to engage those furthest from the labour market and improve employability.”
- “Every child should have the right to be part of a learning family. Many children grow up in families that can support their learning but some do not. Public bodies should target support to help these families.”
Our main objective is to bridge the gap between schools, parents and children to enhance the educational experience they share together.
Our workshops and courses follow a unique story-telling format where the Learning Objectives of the session are based on the morals elicited from the story. Each session is designed as a stand-alone workshop, which can also be one of a series of workshops that make up a short course tailored to your needs.
Key Stage 1 & 2
Parents of young children may be new to the education system and need to know more about what their children will be learning and how they can help them more at home. We will encourage parents to work effectively with their children, engage more with the school and recognise how their children are progressing in their attainment. We will cover topics such as:
Every child an effective learner
Parents and carers are the first teachers of their children and understand their children’s needs best. When you send your child to school you are creating a partnership agreement with the teachers to ensure that your child develops into an effective learner. This session helps parents and carers explore how to build effective partnerships with schools, share information and teaching techniques that cater for individual needs, identify a range of resources that meet your child’s needs and plan extra-curricular activities that expand your child’s interests and learning. This is an interactive workshop where you can try out some fun activities with your child.
Fun with Storysacks
This course is a creative and practical way to enjoy and develop reading and spoken language skills with your child. You will see how using Storysacks can expand children’s vocabulary, enhance pronunciation and stimulate the imagination. It is also a great way to build children’s confidence in speaking and reading. Not only will you find out what a Storysack is, but you will get an opportunity to see how it works in practice and also have fun designing and making your own storysack to use at home.
Your home - primary learning environment
Learning begins at home and every home is a learning environment. This is a great forum for discussing and sharing different ways that children can learn within the home. You will have an opportunity to explore practical activities that can bring learning to life in Literacy and Numeracy as well as other curriculum areas. Get creative and make some of your own learning resources. You will see how easy it is to make learning fun at home on a small budget.
Fun with Numeracy
Getting involved in your child’s education can make a significant difference to their progress and achievement. Some parents may have had a difficult time with Maths when they were at school and many may have learnt completely different methods to those being taught today. Despite previous experiences, believe it or not, Maths can be fun! Come along and find out about new and interesting ways that your children are learning Maths and the simple things you can do to help them.
Navigating the education system in England
This course is designed for all parents and carers, whether new arrivals to England or long-standing residents who are not familiar with the modern structure of the school system because things have changed so much in recent years. With the bewildering array of new types of schools, key stages, different types of exams and levels of qualifications, many parents need a guide to help navigate the system. Come along and gain some insight into how the system works.
Dealing with Transitions
The transfer from Early Years to Primary School, from Primary School to Secondary School or personal transitions like moving home or country is a very significant time for most children. There are a wide range of issues to deal with, which can have an impact on children’s social, emotional and academic development. It is essential for parents, teachers, mentors and other relevant adults to work together to support the child during this sensitive time. Attending this workshop will help parents to explore a range of strategies for dealing with transitions from a positive perspective.
Key Stage 3 & 4
Parents of older children may want to explore other areas of working with their child covering the social, emotional and behavioural aspects of development. We will facilitate sessions to help parents share experiences and look at positive strategies to engage their children in personal development activities. Some of the topics that can be covered for parents of children in secondary school are:
Help Your Child to Set SMART Targets
If you focus on your goals and put plans in place, you are much more likely to make progress and achieve success. Setting goals needs to be done strategically so that you know exactly what you are working towards and when you have arrived. Giving your child the support they need to write clear goals and plan for the future at an early age sets them up for a future of moving closer to their full potential. You will learn how to help your child set SMART targets and monitor progress along the way.
Managing expectations, motivation and self-esteem
This introductory session on child development, parenting strategies and positive communication will help parents to develop a consistent approach to parenting in the 21st century. By looking at topics like positive discipline, praise vs. encouragement and focus meetings, parents will be able to choose from a range of strategies that will help them to work with their children. Building healthy relationships with clear expectations motivates children to thrive and progress towards their full potential.
Confidence building and Social Skills
Social skills is aimed at children and young people developing an understanding of how to interact with parents, staff and peers in a variety of formal and informal situations. This programme is a series of sessions that looks at how participants can develop strategies for understanding and behaving with other people. This gives them the confidence to be in a position where they feel respected and able to cope in society. They will learn social conventions like greeting others, appropriate responses in a given situation and how best to say things so as not to cause offence. This course will give the children and young people the necessary tools and understanding to adjust their communication in line with their environment to develop positive relationships.
Dealing with Transitions
The transfer from Early Years to Primary School, from Primary School to Secondary School or personal transitions like moving home or country is a very significant time for most children. There are a wide range of issues to deal with, which can have an impact on children’s social, emotional and academic development. It is essential for parents, teachers, mentors and other relevant adults to work together to support the child during this sensitive time. Attending this workshop will help parents to explore a range of strategies for dealing with transitions from a positive perspective.
Parents
All parents will benefit from becoming involved as volunteers in schools. It can help to build their own confidence working with their child, engaging with school staff or even socialising with other parents and seeking employment. There are several ways in which parents can become involved and the workshop on:
Family Focus Programme
This course enables parent(s)/carer(s) and young adults to identify family patterns and positions that individuals play out from generation to generation, which could have an impact on family dynamics. In recognising these patterns families can address them systematically to create new ways of relating and interacting with each other. This course is not a stand-alone course but works in conjunction with specific courses provided by ACE Forum. It serves as a useful follow-up for more targeted work between parent(s)/carer(s) and young people.
Being a volunteer
Being a volunteer will help parents explore areas such as PTA membership, becoming a Governor, in class support or helping with trips, school events and large projects.