Family Engagement

• Case Study - Teapot Course
• Teapot Photographs October 2008
• Photographs - Heroes and Heroines

Family Engagement

Project Leader - Laura Woollacott, Skills for Life Engagement Officer

The aim of my role has been to identify and engage with harder to reach adult learners in key areas identified across Norwich; offering a variety of creative opportunities that can act as a catalyst to further learning.

A pilot project working closely with 2 primary schools has been successfully undertaken. Using the theme of ‘Heroes' and family portraits, class workshops offered children a series of activities leading to each child writing a personal message home to their parent or carer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The messages were written by each child on a uniquely designed magnetic postcard and were intended to convey a message which would help build positive relationships. This activity was followed by a whole school activity where each child produced a portrait of their parent or carer. These were all mounted and displayed in a school ‘Portrait Gallery'. Families were invited to a ‘Family Fun Day' where the biggest attraction was the opportunity to collect their portrait and enjoy free refreshments.

"It was definitely the portrait that made me come today, I might not have come had my daughter not been so keen"

"All the portraits here are great and I'm staying"

 

 

 

 

 

The events were a great success in both schools and offered a range of fun activities and links to other organisations working within the community. Over 150 people attended each event and the feedback was overwhelming positive.

"I didn't really think there would be all things to do"

A key attraction was each family had the opportunity to dress up and have their family portrait taken and were given a photo to take home.

"Having our picture taken is really good, it feels like we have been given an unexpected gift"

 

 

 

 

 

The events provided an informal opportunity to chat to parents and identify their interests and learning needs, and offer taster sessions to people with below GCSE level qualifications.

Over 90 adults engaged in one to one informal chats with NLP staff to identify their learning needs. 32 subsequently took part in taster sessions and workshops. Information and signposting to appropriate other providers was offered to all.

 

 

 

 

"Parents and carers picked up positive vibes as they met and talked to other providers and it appeared to give them confidence to take on something new and try their hand at a range of activities not usually open to them in a fun and non threatening way"

Head teacher Magdalen Gates Primary School

Both Family Learning events were supported by Norwich Community Workshop, Community Learning Mentors, Next Step Norfolk, each providing fun and informal creative activities for the whole family.

Tasters and workshops

Working in partnership with Norwich Community Workshop and Norwich Castle Museum a variety of taster sessions were offered including, silk painting, making brooches, stained glass and mosaic making.

 

 

 

 

 

The progression for learners was a 5 week course ‘Tea pot ‘course held in Norwich Castle and inspired by the museums Tea pot collection. Participants were supported through a creative process of embedded learning to develop an awareness of design and pattern, throughout the sessions the diverse group including women from Libya, Congo and Russia and hostel residents, enjoyed tea drinking and sharing experiences. Each participant developed a

tea pot design and in the penultimate week decorated their own tea pot with glaze. Tea pots were fired and presented to participants in the final week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The course has been a great partnership with the museum service, and a comprehensive resource pack has been produced to support future activities.

The Castle offered a great venue and the theme of Tea has been a great leveller for a diverse group of learners. I am currently meeting with individual learners to identify their progression choices. Many of the women have discovered strong creative talent.

Future plans

Heroes' project

Future plans will be to roll out the ‘Heroes' project with primary schools in Norwich and North Norfolk aiming to engage with harder to reach learners and offer more and varied learning opportunities with a creative theme.

A resource pack has been produced and evaluation presentation to

• Demonstrate the efficacy of the project to improve home school links
• Develop links with outside agencies
• Provide useful tool to support SEAL and SIF
• Enable schools to organise a large scale family event to enrich communication with families
• Support Meeting the core offer for Extended Services
• Raise awareness of opportunities for parents/ carers

Workshops and tasters

Following the successful outcomes achieved through the Teapots course plans are underway to prepare a display to promote the partnership between the museum service and NLP, outlining the tea pot course and highlighting the value of offering learning in a museum venue.

We hope to repeat the course in the autumn and are looking at other themes to link with the museum's collections.

A reunion event is planned in September to which all participants from the taster and workshop events will be invited. The aim being to celebrate success, review where learners are at in terms of their progression and identify further need for information advice or guidance.