Family Learning in North Ayrshire

Published 15/04/2019.  Last updated 11/04/2023
sourcePractice exemplars groupsCommunity Learning and Development (CLD) categoryScottish Attainment Challenge categoryParents and families

​​​​This practice exemplar provides an overview of North Ayrshire Council’s Family Learning strategy and shares practical-based approaches and interventions used to support the closing of the poverty related attainment gap through enhancing family engagement in learning. The work of the Family Learning Team is currently funded through the Scottish Attainment Challenge.

How to use this exemplar

The Family Learning Team has developed a wide variety of programmes and interventions which schools can choose from and which are tailored to meet the needs of individual schools and families within the community.

A range of interventions are captured here in filmed interviews with school staff, parents, children and Family Learning Workers. It demonstrates the variety and reach that family learning can have and the impact that extends beyond improvement.​​​

Explore this exemplar

What was done?

North Ayrshire’s Family Learning Team developed a range of initiatives, interventions and programmes to increase opportunities to enhance family engagement in learning. This was in response to information provided by parents/families through a variety of surveys, focus groups and questionnaires.

The Team has worked closely with schools and families to devise and develop family learning opportunities which meet the needs of parents and families. This has been done primarily by facilitating a range of in-house programmes and family-focused activities such as family homework clubs, family language learning and transition programmes.

The Family Learning Team has developed effective partnerships with a range of local and national partners including SCILT (Scotland’s National Centre for Languages) and CELCIS (Centre for Excellence in Looked after Children in Scotland) to co-deliver these programmes.

Videos

'Thumbs Up Thursdays'(Family Fun Club) - Stanley Primary School​

See ​2 videos on YouTube playlist (see small menu at top left of video).​

Providing a range of activities for parents to learn alongside their children to support numeracy, literacy and health and wellbeing

​Family Homework Hub Dykesmains Primary School

See ​3 videos on YouTube playlist (see small menu at top left of video).​

Building the capacity of parents to work with their children on homework tasks.

'Wee Famille' in partnership with North Ayrshire Council's 1+2 & SCILT

See 2 videos on YouTube playlist (see small menu at top left of video).​

7-week programme where parents and children learn French together.

Piloted in one primary school , the Wee Famille is now being rolled out to a further 6 primary schools. It has also been translated into Spanish and is called ‘Arriba Familia’. This is used as a progression course or a stand-alone programme if the families are more interested in learning about Spanish.

Annick Primary School: Supporting Transition Into Primary (STIP)​​​

See ​3 videos on YouTube playlist (see small menu at top left of video).​

Provides support to parents as their child transitions to primary school. The planned activities during the summer holidays help build relationships, address concerns and build capacity in parents.​

What was the impact?​

Thumbs Up Thursdays

  • provides parents and their children time to work together on an aspect of learning
  • parents report that it has increased their confidence and ability to talk to practitioners and have their voice heard
  • parents found that peer support from within the group was invaluable
  • some parents have gone on to college placements to study child care

Family Homework Hub

  • parents report that it' is much easier to come into school when children are still in 'learning mode' and complete their homework
  • parents were more familiar with what their child was learning and could get help with things they found challenging
  • parents felt less isolated in knowing that other people often experience the same issues
  • parents felt more confident in helping their child with their homework and in engaging in learning
  • attitudes towards homework were more positive and less stressful
  • healthy and effective habits around homework had been developed

Wee Famille

  • parents enjoyed finding out about how French was taught and enjoyed being able to learn as a family
  • families were able to taste food that they wouldn't previously have considered
  • parents were more engaged in their child's other homework tasks

Supporting Transition Into Primary (STIP)

  • parents were better prepared for the transition to primary school
  • the informal atmosphere allowed parents to ask questions that had been causing anxiety
  • meeting up over the summer with other 'transitioning' families had helped to alleviate stress within the whole family
  • the hints and tips had provided valuable information, for example on how to hold a pencil

Wee Famille

  • parents enjoyed finding out about how French was taught and enjoyed being able to learn as a family
  • families were able to taste food that they wouldn't previously have considered
  • parents were more engaged in their child's other homework tasks

Downloads

PDF file: Partnership Statement - CELCIS (187 KB)

PDF file: Partnership Statement - SCILT (198 KB)

PDF file: Partnership Statement - NAC's 1 + 2 (171 KB)

Family Learning in North Ayrshire

Published 15/04/2019.  Last updated 11/04/2023
sourcePractice exemplars groupsCommunity Learning and Development (CLD) categoryScottish Attainment Challenge categoryParents and families

​​​​This practice exemplar provides an overview of North Ayrshire Council’s Family Learning strategy and shares practical-based approaches and interventions used to support the closing of the poverty related attainment gap through enhancing family engagement in learning. The work of the Family Learning Team is currently funded through the Scottish Attainment Challenge.

How to use this exemplar

The Family Learning Team has developed a wide variety of programmes and interventions which schools can choose from and which are tailored to meet the needs of individual schools and families within the community.

A range of interventions are captured here in filmed interviews with school staff, parents, children and Family Learning Workers. It demonstrates the variety and reach that family learning can have and the impact that extends beyond improvement.​​​

Explore this exemplar

What was done?

North Ayrshire’s Family Learning Team developed a range of initiatives, interventions and programmes to increase opportunities to enhance family engagement in learning. This was in response to information provided by parents/families through a variety of surveys, focus groups and questionnaires.

The Team has worked closely with schools and families to devise and develop family learning opportunities which meet the needs of parents and families. This has been done primarily by facilitating a range of in-house programmes and family-focused activities such as family homework clubs, family language learning and transition programmes.

The Family Learning Team has developed effective partnerships with a range of local and national partners including SCILT (Scotland’s National Centre for Languages) and CELCIS (Centre for Excellence in Looked after Children in Scotland) to co-deliver these programmes.

Videos

'Thumbs Up Thursdays'(Family Fun Club) - Stanley Primary School​

See ​2 videos on YouTube playlist (see small menu at top left of video).​

Providing a range of activities for parents to learn alongside their children to support numeracy, literacy and health and wellbeing

​Family Homework Hub Dykesmains Primary School

See ​3 videos on YouTube playlist (see small menu at top left of video).​

Building the capacity of parents to work with their children on homework tasks.

'Wee Famille' in partnership with North Ayrshire Council's 1+2 & SCILT

See 2 videos on YouTube playlist (see small menu at top left of video).​

7-week programme where parents and children learn French together.

Piloted in one primary school , the Wee Famille is now being rolled out to a further 6 primary schools. It has also been translated into Spanish and is called ‘Arriba Familia’. This is used as a progression course or a stand-alone programme if the families are more interested in learning about Spanish.

Annick Primary School: Supporting Transition Into Primary (STIP)​​​

See ​3 videos on YouTube playlist (see small menu at top left of video).​

Provides support to parents as their child transitions to primary school. The planned activities during the summer holidays help build relationships, address concerns and build capacity in parents.​

What was the impact?​

Thumbs Up Thursdays

  • provides parents and their children time to work together on an aspect of learning
  • parents report that it has increased their confidence and ability to talk to practitioners and have their voice heard
  • parents found that peer support from within the group was invaluable
  • some parents have gone on to college placements to study child care

Family Homework Hub

  • parents report that it' is much easier to come into school when children are still in 'learning mode' and complete their homework
  • parents were more familiar with what their child was learning and could get help with things they found challenging
  • parents felt less isolated in knowing that other people often experience the same issues
  • parents felt more confident in helping their child with their homework and in engaging in learning
  • attitudes towards homework were more positive and less stressful
  • healthy and effective habits around homework had been developed

Wee Famille

  • parents enjoyed finding out about how French was taught and enjoyed being able to learn as a family
  • families were able to taste food that they wouldn't previously have considered
  • parents were more engaged in their child's other homework tasks

Supporting Transition Into Primary (STIP)

  • parents were better prepared for the transition to primary school
  • the informal atmosphere allowed parents to ask questions that had been causing anxiety
  • meeting up over the summer with other 'transitioning' families had helped to alleviate stress within the whole family
  • the hints and tips had provided valuable information, for example on how to hold a pencil

Wee Famille

  • parents enjoyed finding out about how French was taught and enjoyed being able to learn as a family
  • families were able to taste food that they wouldn't previously have considered
  • parents were more engaged in their child's other homework tasks

Downloads

PDF file: Partnership Statement - CELCIS (187 KB)

PDF file: Partnership Statement - SCILT (198 KB)

PDF file: Partnership Statement - NAC's 1 + 2 (171 KB)