family learning group

What is Family Learning?

Family learning encourages family members to learn together as and within a family, with a focus on intergenerational learning. Activities can be specifically designed to enable parents to learn how to support their children’s learning.

Family learning is a powerful method of engagement and learning which can foster positive attitudes towards life-long learning, promote socio-economic resilience and challenge educational disadvantage.


There are eight values that underpin family learning:

  • Family learning recognises the role of the parent as the first educator

  • Family learning is inclusive and is to be offered as a universal provision with open access

  • Family learning recognises and values diversity of culture, race, relationships and beliefs

  • Equal partnership is the basis for all developments in family learning; all learners and educators, regardless of generation, recognise that learners and educators can frequently exchange ideas

  • Family learning recognises that it is acceptable to make mistakes, which are part of the process of reflective learning

  • Achievements within family learning benefit the wider learning community through promoting change and empowering individuals and communities

  • Family learning raises aspirations and all outcomes of the process, including those which may not be overt, are of equal significance and importance

  • Family learning operates within a culture of mutual respect for individuals, communities, colleagues and organisations.

ABOUT GORDON PARK’S FAMILY LEARNING GROUP

Gordon Park Family Learning Group (“FLG”) is being established in the Autumn of 2023. The purpose of the group is to:

  • build on the strong foundations of family learning work already undertaken in our nursery setting

  • support families from the local community who would benefit from family learning activity, with a focus on the 0-8 year age group

  • provide support to vulnerable children and families.

FLG will run group sessions, with activities taking place in the community, smaller, focused sessions (for example, with 1 to 3 parents and their child) and 1:2 sessions (Family Learning Practitioner + you and your child).

So what sort of sessions will FLG run? Good question! Here’s what we envisage it looking like:

  • group work such as outdoor learning, forest walks etc

  • small focus group work, such as learning through play, messy play and cooking

  • 1:2 work, supporting the family with relevant issues, for example, implementing and embedding a night time/bed time routine.

Families can self-refer to our FLG by completing the contact form below. We also accept referrals from other charities, professionals and partner agencies.

Our Family Learning Group has been made possible by a generous grant from The Robertson Trust who we take the opportunity to thank on behalf of the charity and the local community who will benefit from this work. Thankyou!