1C: How is success in learner achievement recognised?

Achievement rates are very good throughout the full range of accredited and non-accredited family learning courses. In 2002-03, achievement rates were over 90 per cent for many accredited courses, and have shown continuous improvement over the past three years. For example, achievement rates for family literacy courses have risen from just over 40 per cent in 2000-01 to 85 per cent in 2002-03.

Learners’ achievements are good, given their prior knowledge, skills and attainment. Learners have a clear sense of direction and are gaining a range of relevant skills. Learners achieve their learning goals and are applying the new skills to their daily lives.

Learners make good progress towards their individual learning goals. They can explain the learning that takes place and how it influences their lives. Many learners report that they benefit from unexpected outcomes, such as improved self-confidence, an ability to manage their learning and better parenting skills. They are able to develop strategies for supporting their children’s work at home.

Learners make good progress towards their learning goals. At the end of each session, learners reflect on the learning achieved and keep a diary of their progress. At the completion of the course, achievements are celebrated at special events where presentations are made to learners and their children.

Personally, [learners] gained unexpected benefits, such as increased self-confidence and self-esteem. Several learners have progressed to becoming helpers at the school and there is evidence that their own literacy and numeracy skills have increased. Learners report that other children in the family benefit from their attendance on courses. Schools benefit, since parents feel more comfortable in the school and the barriers between different communities break down.

Specific skills are developed and activities, games, books and models are well made to use with children. For example, bilingual books of a very good standard were developed by family learning ESOL learners.

Headteachers value programmes in the school and report on the impact on the adult learners, who are more confident and are prepared to be more involved in supporting their children.

Parents gain a greater understanding of how schools teach and how children learn. Staff at several of the schools involved in family learning spoke highly of the scheme and of the parents who attend. They value the parents’ and carers’ commitment to helping schools and children improve their educational opportunities. Many of the learners would now like to work in schools.

Headteachers value programmes in the school and report on the impact on the adult learners, who are more confident and are prepared to be more involved in supporting their children.

Many learners progress to further education or employment. For example, from a group of past learners, one is now employed as a classroom assistant, one is working towards a GCSE in mathematics and others are working towards an NVQ in childcare at the same school where they took part in the family learning course. One learner has enrolled on an Open University course having gained confidence through family learning courses. The school is building on this success by investing in an adult education room.

The Service has good achievement in family literacy, numeracy and language. 82 per cent of the learners who took national tests in literacy and numeracy passed. Parents and carers gain confidence in talking to teachers and supporting their children’s development.

View the inspection report for Norfolk Council Council's Adult Education Service

In family learning learners develop very good personal and learning skills. They are more confident in helping their children with homework. They gain understanding about the teaching of literacy, numeracy and language skills and the benefits of becoming involved in supporting their children’s learning. Relationships at home and with schools have improved. Children’s skills and development have much improved.

View the inspection report for Oldham LEA

In family learning learners develop very good parenting skills. They discover the fun in learning both for themselves and their children. Parents learn the art of motivation and skills to talk and play with their own children. Attendance and retention rates are good, as are achievement rates for qualifications and individual objectives.

View the inspection report for Sheffield LEA

There are significant gains in skills and confidence in family learning. Some parents who have failed in the school environment become advocates to recruit new learners to family learning courses. They are much better able to support their children…Headteachers report better communication with parents and improved skills in the children. Some learners progress to higher level literacy and numeracy or computer courses. Some have trained as classroom assistants and gained employment in school.

View the inspection report for Newcastle upon Tyne LEA

Parents and carers are using the skills and knowledge gained to work with their child in joint sessions and at home. Learners report increased confidence and headteachers notice the impact of this on adults’ willingness to be involved in their child’s learning.

View the inspection report for Lincolnshire LEA

Retention and achievement rates are very good in family learning. Learners are very successful in gaining skills which help them work with their children. They develop good parenting skills and good understanding of the way their children learn at school. Learners work enthusiastically and confidently with their children and gain nationally recognised accreditation for their work. They make good use of well-integrated opportunities to practise and reinforce their own literacy and numeracy skills.

View the inspection report for Isle of Wight LEA

Learners in family learning develop good parenting and personal skills. They develop good practical skills which they use with their children at home. They value their new knowledge about how children develop and learn.

View the inspection report for Devon LEA

Parents and carers develop good personal skills to support children’s learning on family literacy and numeracy courses. Family literacy and numeracy tutors use good resources and imaginative learning activities and projects that successfully motivate learners to develop their skills in learning as well as parenting.

View the inspection report for Cornwall LEA