Jo McCarthy

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Study Support in the London Borough of Croydon

Jo McCarthy Study Support Co-ordinator
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• Study Support in Croydon Libraries
• Areas for discussion
• Why is Study Support a priority for Croydon
  Libraries?
• What does Study Support include in our libraries?
• How do Homework Help clubs benefit children? How
  do we know? How can we improve?
• Partnerships and sign-posting

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• Why is Study Support a Priority
• for Croydon Libraries?
• Some facts about the London Borough of Croydon
• 36 of Croydons population are from black and
  minority ethnic communities, including people of
  Irish origin and mixed heritage
• Croydon has a lower proportion of older people,
  and a higher proportion of younger people, than
  any other London Borough
• There are around 40,000 adults and children in
  Croydon who have some form of disability
• Within the borough, there are 32 secondary
  schools, 94 primary schools, 6 nursery schools
  and 190 nursery and pre-school groups

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The Councils six priorities reflect the
concerns of local people and guide the delivery
of all our services

• Better and fair access to services
• Improving health and social care
• Reducing crime and disorder
• Education and lifelong learning
• Regenerating the borough
• Improving the environment

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Why is Study Support a Priority for Croydon
Libraries?
Example children from the Young Carers service
have access to the Homework Help Clubs at certain
times
Achieving Better Outcomes
Children at the Core
Example children at all four Homework Help Clubs
use Study Guides to revise for SATs, GCSEs and
A-levels
Providing Fairer Access
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Why is Study Support a Priority for Croydon
Libraries?
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The Library is an ideal place to find study
support

• Neutral space
• Genuinely open for everyone
• Libraries are well-used and supported
• They are free to use
• Knowledgeable staff

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What does Study Support Include in our Libraries?
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How do Homework Help Clubs benefit children? How
do we know?

• Regular questionnaires and surveys always
  receive positive comments including, My school
  work has improved since coming to the club and
  keep up the good work!
• Informal feedback children and parents
• Attendance figures 21.5 increase from
  2005-2006
• Family Learning Week graffiti wall
• Growth of partnerships

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How can we improve?

• For the parents and carers
• Listen to and act on their opinions
• Ensure the clubs are well advertised and promoted
  
• Encourage them to engage with their children
  whilst at the library
• Encourage adult learning through Dads and Lads
  days and Family Learning Week

• For the children
• Make learning more fun!
• Use modern resources such as email and the
  internet to communicate with the children
• Ensure libraries are attractive and welcoming
  spaces
• Ensure the clubs always strike the right balance
  between studying and support
• Encourage use of the whole library through fun
  schemes such as the Loyalty Card

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Partnerships, sign-posting and sharing good
practice

• Coordinator of Young Carers scheme
• I feel that our pupils have benefited
  enormously from the focused environment at the
  Homework Help Club.  They have accessed books and
  information which would not have been available
  to them here and many have been in a library for
  the first time!  This also extends to parents who
  are bringing their children and being encouraged
  to look at texts with them.  I am aware that the
  quality and quantity of work completed has
  improved since we joined you.

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Croydon contacts
Jo McCarthy, Study Support Coordinator,
joanne.mccarthy_at_croydon.gov.uk Margaret Fraser,
Childrens Services Manager, margaret.fraser_at_croyd
on.gov.uk Grace McElwee, Childrens Services
Manager, grace.mcelwee_at_croydon.gov.uk Adie Batt,
Head of Libraries, adie.batt_at_croydon.gov.uk

Image kindly supplied by the Croydon Film
Commission