Family Learning Information

Recent studies have shown that, where there are poor literacy and numeracy skills in a household parents are ill-equipped to offer academic support to their children; this has a detrimental effect on the attainment of the children at school.  Family Learning is funded by the Learning Skills Council (LSC).  It has been developed to raise the levels of literacy and numeracy within the family as a whole.

Family Learning Programmes

Family Learning programmes are offered in two areas: 

Wider Family Learning (WFL)

This involves parents/carers and child(ren) learning together. The courses are intended to lead to clear learning outcomes for both adults and children.  Parenting classes also count as Family Learning.  Family Learning courses encourage children, carers, parents and even grandparents to learn together and to show all generations that learning can be useful and fun.   Examples of Family Learning are:  keep fit; family art; baby massage; computer and internet safety, family languages; family dance; family drama.  Family Learning courses can range from a 2 hour workshop to a 20 hour (10 week) course.

Family Literacy, Language and Numeracy (FLLN)

This involves parents/carers and child(ren) or parents/carers only.  These courses are designed to directly increase the level of basic skills within the household, which should help to increase the child's attainment at school.  By attending FLLN courses, parents/carers develop new skills, and update their knowledge which should enable them to effectively support their children's work in the classroom and at home.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead offers free workshops and longer courses in play and language, numeracy skills and keeping up with the Children in the classroom.  We can also offer courses integrating IT or art with literacy or numeracy. 

More courses, which aim to integrate literacy and numeracy into enjoyable activities, are planned.  FLLN courses can range from a 2 hour workshop to a 30 hour (15 week) course.

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Funding and Facilities

The Borough is keen to work with partner organisations to deliver local Family Learning opportunities.  Family Learning provision is generally offered free of charge (including learner support where appropriate).  Schools and community venues need to be able to provide a space for learning.  This may need to be more than one room depending on the type of course.  Partner organisations need to be proactive in promoting family learning activities to parents/carers as some people may not have had a good learning experience in the past.  Some type of tea/coffee facility or a space where learners can get away from the learning environment for a break is an important part of the learning/social experience.

For more details telephone the Family Learning Co-ordinator on 01628 796 584.

Case study - Larchfield Primary School

RBWM offered two family literacy and numeracy workshops at Larchfield school but there was limited take-up from parents. 

We then decided to run a more "fun" activity at Larchfield, using an artist who has taught art to both children and adults.  Each child in the school created an A5 picture of a sea or land animal.  These pictures were put together in a giant collage with help of the parents. 

After the success of this exercise, RBWM organised a literacy and IT workshop, which seven parents attended and a keeping up with the children course.  We now have great hopes for the future for family learning in Larchfield school and plan to do more of this type of activity.

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