Parents pick up new skills
Released: 26 July 2007
Parents have gone back to the classroom - and come away with new qualifications.
Mothers at Bilston Church of England Primary School passed the National Test after both refreshing and picking up new literacy and numeracy skills in the classroom.
The quartet - Sarah Smith, Penny Wesley, Amanda Baddeley and Michelle Timmins - have spent the last nine months working with Family Learning Service tutors for two hours a week on basic maths and English, unlocking skills they had not used for a long time and developing their confidence and belief in their abilities.
A wide-ranging programme saw them cover poetry, adjectives, word processing, finding information on the internet and even making booklets to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. They were also joined for part of their weekly sessions by their children, covering different topics.
As the year progressed they achieved an Open College Network Reading Together award which encouraged them to work towards the National Test in Literacy in the summer term.
And their hard work paid off with a 100 per cent pass rate, giving them qualifications equivalent to a high grade GCSE.
“This is the first step to getting adults back into learning or employment in the future because a lot of prospective employers will accept National Test qualifications,” said Family Learning Tutor, Jane Guest.
“And it has had a positive effect on their children, too, as they are having extra tuition once a week - and they love coming along.
“Their hard work and determination paid off; it was a brilliant achievement for everyone concerned and they are enthusiastic regarding future learning.”
Family Learning sessions are commonplace in Wolverhampton’s schools, but this year is the first time adults have had the chance to complete the National Tests.
Five adults at Trinity Church of England School on Longford Road have also recently taken part in the programme and organisers are keen for other parents at schools around the city to get involved.
For more details, contact Sue McElhone, Family Learning Service co-ordinator, on 01902 556289, or by email.
Issued by the press office.