Family Learning developing the skills of parents and their children together

Do you have contact with parents/carers of children who have low English/English Language and/or maths skills?

Is this impacting on the development and achievement of their children?

We know that poor English and maths skills often run in the family and family English, maths and language courses can be an effective way of breaking the cycle of under-achievement. We also know that disadvantage transmits across generations.

There are two types of funding available:

Wider Family Learning (WFL), programmes can be used to encourage families to learn together. They are often the first step into learning and can be used as a 'progression route' to Family English, maths or Language programmes and/or further training or employment. They aim to:

• develop skills and knowledge of both adult and child
• help parents/carers to be more active in the support of their children's learning and development
• help parents understand the impact of their support on their children's learning.

Family English, maths and or language (FEML), programmes aim to help parents/carers understand how English and maths are taught to increase their own skills by increasing:

• parents' English, maths, language and IT skills
• parents' ability and confidence to help their children learn
• parents' ability to progress to further learning or employment
• childrens' English, maths and language skills
• children and parents' confidence and self esteem.

If you are a parent/carer wanting to find out about courses...

Contact your child's head teacher or the manager of your local children's centre to find out what is available.

Partnerships are our key to success

Courses are fully funded and Family Learning will provide suitably qualified tutors to work with your families. Courses are set up in partnership and are delivered in schools, children centres, libraries and community centres across the borough. All courses are free to families. Please contact us if you are interested in working with us to make a difference to the families you work with.

'...many parents are not hard to reach, just hard to engage...'

Download the following and find out more:

• The Family Learning course provision for 2012/13 (provides a framework for working with us, course information and contact numbers of the Family Learning team)
• Content of our courses/activities (course outlines)
• A current list of where and with whom we are working
• A case study 'a template for Family Learning' Feedback from parents who have experienced Family Learning courses and the impact it has made on their lives
• Our partnership newsletter reviewing our work and successes in 2011/12.

To find out more, contact family.learning@surreycc.gov.uk or telephone 01932 794539.