Parents as Partners in Learning

Points to consider

Photo of a teenage girl wearing earphones

Involving parents

These points are based on the guidelines for practitioners in relation to involving parents in out of school learning.
  • Are parents’ views sought when planning out of school learning programme and activities?
  • Are parents involved in the evaluation process?
  • Are parents involved in working groups and planning committees along with other partner organisations?
  • Are parents’ views sought on identifying suitable partners for involvement in the out-of-school learning programme?
  • Have parents been asked to advise the schools of skills, talents and interests they have which could contribute to the programme?
  • Are parents welcomed as visitors to out-of-school learning clubs?
  • Are events arranged where parents can take part in the learning along with their children?   

  

Other aspects of out-of-school learning

These points are taken from the leaflets prepared to help practitioners think about how out-of-school learning and study support is organised.

Finding out what’s needed and having a purpose

  • Are there clear aims to meet the specific needs of young people?
  • Do you know which young people would benefit most from out-ofschool activities?
  • Have the aims and purpose of your programmes been discussed with young people, parents, teachers and other relevant key partners?    

Involving young people and getting the ethos right

  • Are all young people encouraged to participate?
  • Do they have opportunities to be involved in planning and evaluation of the programmes?
  • Are there opportunities for young people to promote the programme and be involved in leadership and delivery positions?
  • Is there a welcoming, supportive and attractive environment which includes all individuals and groups?    

Learning together

  • Do programme/activity leaders set aside time to review how young people learn?
  • Has out-of-school learning impacted on the learning experiences of young people and the key people working with them?
  • Are you clear about the kind of support young people need from leaders?
  • Has this influenced the selection of key people?    

Developing partnerships

  • What have you done to develop partnerships in planning, delivering and evaluation out-of-school learning?
  • Do you know what partnership opportunities young people can identify to create new learning experiences?
  • Have you explored potential partnerships from less obvious sources?