Study Support in Derby City Libraries

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Study Support in Derby City Libraries
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Out of lesson time learning

• Libraries can provide a vital alternative but
  complementary learning service to support school
  age children
• Framework for the Future. DCMS 2003
• There are clearly some children who are not
  comfortable in the school environment. In the
  library, they have not just a different setting
  for learning, but new interpersonal dynamics with
  the staff too
• Start with the Child. CILIP 2002

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The story begins

• Pear Tree Library

• Opens September 1998
• One of 50 Lottery pilot projects, funded by DfEE
• Partnership Education, Libraries, Youth Service

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Aims of the project

• Increase levels of attainment
• Raise profile of library in local community
• Extend library use
• Strengthen role of Youth Service in out of school
  learning

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Why Pear Tree Library?

• Inner city area
• High levels of social economic deprivation
• High proportion ethnic minority groups
• No secondary school within the community
• Restricted by religious commitments
• Lack of quiet area at home
• Accessible venue in heart of the community

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Key elements

• Years 5 9 from 5 primary and 3 secondary
  schools
• Open 3 evenings a week
• Target under achievers especially boys and ethnic
  minorities
• Attend voluntarily in own time
• One hour session each week
• 3 way partnership schools, parents and library
• Nominated by schools
• Parental support
• Positive praise and guidance

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The first year

• National recognition as example of best practice
• 2,400 attendances
• 83 children benefiting
• Increased book issues
• Wider use by families
• Paul Hamlyn 500 book grant for reading for
  pleasure collection
• Library reading group

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What members said
Having some computers in the library is very good
because we dont have a computer at home and also
at school there is only a short time we can spend
on them.
You can play on any computer you like and no-one
tells you off.
If I dont come here normally then the problem is
I wont get work done, anything done, and I will
have to stay in at playtime and miss my favourite
sport, football.
I think the homework study centre is great
Since I have joined the homework club I have
never struggled there or at school
I think everyone should join the homework centre
If I print something and take it to school I get
lots of stars.
The homework club is really fantastic
I think the homework centre is useful because
when I go on to the computer I get useful
information, for example about the Greeks, famous
artists and sports
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What teachers said
As pupils move on more are waiting to take their
places
This is helpful for the children who have parents
who feel unable to help a lot with homework,
although they are very keen for their children to
be high achievers
The homework club is ongoing and always developing
The ethos of the homework club is very positive,
comfortable and supportive
When Ive visited it was good to see the children
working with others from different age groups and
different schools
The pupils all enjoy the homework club so their
attendance is reliable, in fact, some want more
than their allocation
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A second centre at Sinfin Library

• Opens November 2002
• NRF funding
• Remote from City Centre
• High proportion from ethnic minorities
• High take up of free school meals
• Above average with special needs
• Transient population

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Dedicated learning suite

• 12 PCS with printer scanner
• Educational games
• Digital movie creator cameras to create and view
  own mini movies.
• Chill out area to read books and magazines
• Area for displays and accreditation certificates

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Alvaston study support centre

• Opens January 2005
• New library
• Ethos as learning centre community resource
• Mainstream funding

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Not just homework!

• Fun and interactive
• Making friends
• Enhances motivation
• Independent learning
• Development of study skills
• Social interpersonal skills
• Confidence and self esteem
• Informal peer mentoring
• Respect and tolerance
• Easing transition from primary to secondary
• Consultation

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Resources

• Computers with Internet access Microsoft Office
• Free printing facilities
• Dedicated study tables and chairs
• Digital cameras
• Homework collection
• Whole library resource

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Taking ownership

• Supporting and mentoring fellow students
• Establishing centre rules
• Display work
• Designing promotional posters
• Student goal setting sheets
• Consultation to inform planning

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Staffing

• Dedicated trained staff
• Manager and study support assistants
• Supportive rather than instructive roles
• Building relationships
• Help with computer skills
• Informal mentoring

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Monitoring evaluation

• Comments sheets
• Discussion
• Staff observation
• Informal feedback from parents
• Library performance indicators
• NRF quarterly reports
• Statistics
• Termly visits to schools

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School liaison

• Recruitment
• Promote to staff and students
• Discuss progress and special needs
• Investigate topics for study helping staff tailor
  activities and support
• Exchange information on learning resources

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Special activities

• Summer themed activity programmes
• Family learning week
• AfterSchoolClub.net writing competition
• World Book Day
• Science activity Derby City Partnership week
• Chatterbooks clubs

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Quality assurance

• QiSS
• Study support network
• Share good practice
• Discuss new ideas
• Debate common issues using
• practise focused workshop
• approach
• Plan induction training
• Develop common assessment
• framework

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Future developments

• More mentoring by older students
• Employ 16 as study support assistants
• Involvement in recruitment
• Newsletter
• Attendance at school parents evenings
• Computer Club for girls - secure online creative
  activities
• Pen pals programme across networked centres
• Linked family learning events
• Participation in COPE DoE schemes
• Reward good behaviour, positive effort and
  progress
• Interactive whiteboard at Sinfin
• Review study support at all libraries

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I was the journalist of the year in my class for
a poster I made
The children who attend the study support centre
at the library felt proud of their achievements.
Their self esteem has been raised and they are
keen to attend Teacher
The reason why I go to homework club is so I can
get better at my weak subjects.
Exerlant!
I think it is really fun being able to go onto
the computer and you dont have to pay
It was fantastic because I came first in the test
Loads of help
Great talking and taking part in the games
I will continue to go to the club because since
Ive been I have got so much better at my
homework and I hope to do as well as that in my
SATs
Thank you so much with the way you helped me
understand his homework, he actually sailed
through it Parent
Can I stay longer?