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What was planned?

A successful Essex LEA led bid to the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) in 2001 allowed Essex County Council to establish a range of out of school hours learning projects across the county.  The bid enabled them to work with schools to develop one of the strands of their Out of School Hours Learning Strategy - 'Learning in the Community. 

What was done and when?

The largest project funded by the New Opportunities Fund bid and the most community centred is Harlow Homework Centre  Network (which was developed as a partnership between Essex libraries, Harlow District Council and Essex Youth Service and supported by Harlow Schools).  This has provided eight homework centres across the town where any school-aged student can drop in for help with their homework assignments, to study, and for any other learning needs.  The centres are based at all five of the town's libraries; the Young People's Information Centre; Harlow Sports Centre and Harlow Study Centre. The centres are run by dedicated and trained staff who offer not only practical help with homework but are also viewed by the students as "supportive", "safe" "neutral", and "friendly" adults.

From time to time the centres experience some challenging behaviour, and wherever possible channelled such behaviour into more positive and productive outlets. 

Their funding also allows for a programme of arts, sports and cultural activities, which have included theatrical presentations  and creative workshops.  At Harlow Sports Centre, the students have access to homework support plus free sporting activities such as trampolining, football and athletics.  The number of students using this facility has exceeded all expectations, so much so that their Youth Service partners run an extra homework session there rather than at the Youth Centre as originally planned.

Harlow Study Centre provides not only general study support but also runs an exciting programme of science and technology activitiy with equipment funded by the NOF bid and managed by a very enthusiastic and skilled ex-science teacher.  This Centre in particular has a very loyal following especially by boys.

What has been the impact?

A diverse range of students use the centres, they study, chat and enjoy quality time with the staff and their peer groups.  The young people of Harlow have responded in a very positive way to this three-year project and are making good use of all it provides.

What has been learnt?

As the project has moved, a lot of knowledge has been gained about learning styles and learning needs.

Supporting kinaesthetic learning can be a challenge in libraries, physical learning aids have been provided such as:

• A globe
• An abacus
• Jigsaws with maps of the world, flags etc
• Maths and literacy games
• Play readings and group spelling tests are being trialled (and are amazingly popular!)

Essex County Council is in the process of assessing how well their centres support visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learners.

The Council hope that this project is teaching students that learning doesn't just happen between 9am and 3.30pm but that studying is a lifelong activity and that there are a range of resources available in the community to help them to achieve their dreams.

What next?

They are constantly gathering activities with good learning outcomes that are fun, including interactive but educational websites so that they can offer students worthwhile and varied learning.  An incentive card is given to each student, and if they attend ten study support sessions in one term they are awarded a certificate.

For more information contact Karen Aldridge-Morris: Study Support Co-ordinator on 07786 125458