Many of you will be aware that government funding for the Playing for Success programme at Northamptonshire Study Centres ended last year. We wish to emphasise that this does not signify the end of Study Centre provision within the county.
Within Northamptonshire we have been offering PfS programmes for seven years. These programmes have been focused on raising standards in literacy and numeracy in underachieving Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils, by engaging them through sport, in an extended course of voluntary out of school study support activities. Feedback from schools and parents has been very positive and has reflected local and national evaluations.
We have also offered, and will continue to offer on a traded basis, an additional range of high quality day time and holiday programmes that extend and enrich the school curriculum, to meet the needs of vulnerable and at risk groups as well as Gifted and Talented students. We have a proven track record of successfully engaging with a wide range of students including the most difficult to reach and hope to continue to work with these young people.
The work of the Study Centres has a significant contribution to make to the new Government’s plan for Children and Young People:
• How pupils are progressing in their attainment in English and Maths between Key Stages
• The use of “a wider range of providers to offer services to young people”
• Ensuring a strong start for disadvantaged children
• Narrowing the gap in educational attainment
We believe that Study Centre provision has a key role to play in the early intervention and prevention agenda particularly in relation to supporting transition and in supporting School Behaviour and Attendance partnerships in their work with both primary and secondary age pupils.
The unique selling point of the Study Centres is their link to and use of sport as a vehicle for engaging and inspiring children and young people. With the Olympics on the horizon, we have developed a range of themed programmes that can be delivered at the Centres, at the Grendon satellite centre or in schools, either by teachers or as student led activities. We are proud to say that we have achieved the Inspire Mark for a number of these Olympic themed programmes. We are also involved in the national Supporter to Reporter programme, and delivered a Cultural Olympiad digital photography project, CLIX.
For more information contact your local study centre, or ring Val Sudlow on 01604 237150
