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Links with other national policies

Other relevant national policies and initiatives in which study support has a central role to play include:

Personalised Learning
www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/personalisedlearning

Personalised learning aims to raise standards for all children but especially to narrow the attainment gaps between boys and girls; between different ethnic groups; between those from wealthy and those from deprived backgrounds. It means 'a tailored education for every child and young person, that gives them strength in the basics, stretches their aspirations, and builds their life chances' (Higher Standards, Better Schools for All: More choice for parents and pupils. DfES October 2005 p. 50) Study support is a key strategy within personalised learning and can support personalisation in a variety of ways:

  • 'Catch up' for those that have fallen behind – eg one-to-one, extra tuition, mentoring, coaching or small group sessions which may be pupil led or include peer tutors, structured homework clubs, revision sessions, weekend and vacation activities such as Saturday Schools, Easter Schools.
  • Gifted and Talented and 'stretch' activities – eg Gifted and Talented Summer Schools, Aim Higher projects, arts clubs focussing on gifts and talents, opportunities to gain qualifications in music etc.
  • Opportunities for all children to access subjects and activities they are interested in, beyond the school day – eg special interests clubs, enrichment activities such as visits to museums, theatres and heritage sites, residential experiences, trips abroad, environmental projects, volunteering, activities requested by, set up by, and sometimes led by, children and young people.
  • A rich, flexible and accessible curriculum including vocational learning for older pupils – eg study support can offer a wider curriculum and provide access to a variety of external accreditation, such as additional GCSEs, OCN accreditation for peer mentors, Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, ASDAN qualifications and leadership and coaching awards thus helping to create suitable career and learning pathways.
  • Innovative use of ICT, both in the classroom and linking the classroom and home – eg ICT based homework support, shared networks between schools and community providers.
  • Innovative classroom teaching – eg education outside the classroom enriching and adding relevance to classroom teaching, innovative ideas trialled through study support influencing teaching styles, greater awareness of learning styles and preferences, the development of study skills and 'learning to learn'.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Strategies
www.culture.gov.uk

DCMS policy frameworks carry the expectation that the sport and culture sector will support children and young people’s learning through study support.

DfES Five Year Strategy for Children and Learners
www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/5yearstrategy

Study support activities support the delivery of the strategy in terms of broader choice and flexibility and varied approaches to learning through a diverse range of organisations.

Education outside the classroom
www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachingandlearning/resourcematerials/museums/outsideclassroom

Education outside the classroom provides all children and young people with a variety of high quality learning experiences outside a classroom environment. A significant amount of study support takes place outside classroom style settings and/or off the school site.

Healthy Schools Programme
www.wiredforhealth.gov.uk

Every Local Authority in England is working towards the Healthy Schools Programme in partnership with Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). Schools frequently deliver aspects of the programme and evidence criteria through study support.

Ofsted
www.ofsted.gov.uk

Study support can contribute significantly to schools’ Self Evaluation Forms and inspection process. Specifically, schools are asked to comment on their extended provision, impact on ECM outcomes and enrichment opportunities.

PESSCL
www.youthsporttrust.org/page/pesscl/index.html

Study support has a key role to play in delivering the PE school sport and club links strategy (PESSCL). This strategy aims to increase the percentage of school children participating in high quality PE or school sports within and beyond the curriculum. The long term ambition is to offer children four hours of sport per week, two hours within the curriculum and two hours beyond the main school day.

Youth Matters
www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/youth

Schools and other providers of study support will be key providers and facilitators of the range of opportunities for young people including access to sport, cultural opportunities, volunteering, recreation and enrichment.

14-19 Strategy
www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachingandlearning/14to19

Study support is able to enhance the broader, more flexible curriculum, which is being introduced for 14- 19 year olds by helping to develop life skills and offering practical learning opportunities and alternative routes to accreditation.

Playing for Success
www.dfes.gov.uk/playingforsuccess

The Playing for Success (PfS) initiative is establishing study support centres within top sports club's grounds and sporting venues. Pioneered in 1997 by the DfES in partnership with the Football Association Premier League, its clubs and Local Authorities, PfS has since expanded to cover 15 different sports. The centres use the environment and medium of sport as motivational and curriculum tools, with a clear focus on raising literacy, numeracy and ICT standards amongst KS2 and KS3 pupils identified as at risk of underachieving or who would benefit from increased motivation and confidence. Research evidence has shown PfS to be very effective in meeting its aims and very popular with pupils, their parents/guardians and schools.

For further information on how study support contributes to these national agendas please see Study Support: A National Framework for Extended Learning Opportunities (DfES 2006) and Making it Work (PDF file, 241 KB).