Family Learning

Bromley Adult Education College manages Family Learning provision across the Borough of Bromley, working with a variety of organisations who work with families in the community. Over the last five years we have funded or contributed towards a variety of projects including Arts and Crafts, Computing, Recycling and Parenting skills, arranged by many different organisations, from small community groups to schools, throughout the borough.

If you think that your organisation or group may have a scheme which requires funding, if you wish to discuss any ideas you may have for Family Learning projects or just want some more information, please contact Neil Hay at Bromley Adult Education College on 020 8461 8680 or email: neilhay@bromleyadulteducation.ac.uk

Guidelines

Definitions

Family programmes aim to encourage family members to learn together. They are learning as or within a family. They should include opportunities for intergenerational learning and, wherever possible, lead both adults and children to pursue further learning; ‘Family’ is purposely not defined to enable adults and children with a range of relationships to participate together. In addition;

Family learning programmes are those specifically designed to enable adults and children to learn together or those programmes that enable parents/carers to learn how to support their children’s learning. They aim to:

· Develop the skills or knowledge of both the adult and child participants; and

· Help parents/carers to be more active in the support of their children’s learning and development and to understand the impact of that support.

Eligibility for Family Programmes

Usually the ‘family’ should include at least one adult member (i.e. 19 or over) and at least one child member (i.e. under 16). Activities focused solely or mainly on children are not eligible for funding. Adult only courses that are specifically designed to help families; such as" Anger Management" and other counselling oriented schemes are to be encouraged, as are initiatives that bring together Parents/Carers and children within the school.

Wider Family Learning

Programmes

Family learning can be central to community building and to the regeneration or renewal of neighbourhoods and communities Family learning provision should be a planned programme of activities designed to engage adult and child learners together over a period of time.

Activities should:

· Raise the attainment and/or achievement of adults; and/or

· Promote lifelong learning for the whole family; and/or

· Build the confidence of family members of all ages as they join together in a learning activity; and/or

· Provide progression opportunities, signposting individuals or family groups to subsequent learning opportunities; and/or

· Help involve parents/carers in their children’s education and be better able to support them.

Priority Groups

Male family members, learning in ethnic family groupings, older people, the wider extended family and carers.

We are keen to encourage family programmes in a sporting environment (hopefully, this would encourage a larger number of adult males to participate) and we would like to hear about successful programmes involving sport.

For further information, please contact:

Neil Hay, Bromley Adult Education College, Nightingale Lane, Bromley, BR1 2SQ

Phone 020 8461 8680.

Email: neil.hay@baec.ac.uk