Out of Hours Learning

Out of Hours Learning gives young people the opportunity to get involved in learning activities outside normal lessons. Working with schools and their partners, Out of Hours Learning helps to enrich the lives of young people and helps them to achieve and maximise their potential. Its purpose is to improve young people's motivation and help them become effective learners by offering different kinds of learning experiences. Above all, it aims to help raise achievement.

Out of Hours Learning takes place in a variety of different places; in schools, youth centres, libraries, outdoor venues, theatres and leisure facilities. Out of Hours Learning embraces many types of activities; homework clubs, breakfast clubs, holiday play schemes, residentials and creative and physical activities. Out of Hours Learning can be delivered by a range of people; teachers, parents, librarians, youth workers, learning support assistants, outdoor activities instructors, theatre and arts workers. One exciting new study support initiative is the Playing for Success scheme based at Rotherham Rugby Club, where young people take part in Out of Hours Learning activities around the rugby ground. Young people take part in study support activities voluntarily.

Out of Hours Learning offers:

• Safe, fun activities for children which enhance, enrich and extend learning opportunities
• Funding for schools and other services to develop study support activities
• Professional development for staff
• Training for volunteers
• Access for staff to new learning methods and strategies
• Out of Hours Learning contacts

Out of Hours Learning Team
What we do

“Supporting and challenging schools and other providers of study support to deliver a wide range of high quality learning opportunities to more children and young people more often”
Study Support: a national framework for extending learning opportunities, page 15, 2.2

• We help young people become more effective learners
• We provide non-threatening environments for children, young people and families.
• We work to raise aspirations, create opportunities for success and instil a sense of pride.
• Attendance is voluntary and consequently programmes have a distinct ethos. (page 3 vi)
• We work to develop competence as self-motivated learners thereby raising achievement.

We ensure quality by

Working with organisations to develop programmes that aim to involve young people in the planning, delivery and evaluation of activity.

We do this by

• Using the Study Support Code of Practice, Quality in Study Support quality recognition scheme, The national framework for Study Support, Rotherham’s Good Practice Guidance

• Training - e.g. Emergency First Aid, Child Protection Awareness, Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity, UFA Fellowship Training

• Providing effective environments e.g. learning centres provide a warm, welcoming, safe, stimulating and friendly environment. We encourage the adoption of Healthy School principles throughout our provision.

• Adopting safe, inclusive practice e.g. We ensure that activities are accessible e.g. by using DDA compliant venues within the community. Activities are delivered in partnership with a range of partners from the voluntary, community and statutory sectors. All staff and volunteers are CRB checked.

If you would like to know more about the Out of Hours Learning Team or the Study Support activities provided, please contact:

Out of Hours Learning Co-ordinator
Sue Shelley
01709 822540
sue.shelley@rotherham.gov.uk

Study Support Co-ordinator
Jamie Noble
01709 (82) 2553
jamie.noble@rotherham.gov.uk