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Fairham Community College

As part of our Adult Education provision at Fairham Community College, we are provided with a Parent Partnership Budget, (by our LEA, Nottingham City Council.) This is to deliver courses for parents/carers of pupils in our local primary schools- these courses are free and whenever possible childcare services are provided. The courses are aimed at adults, who previously have under achieved, are lacking in self-esteem and confidence, unemployed, low income and who would not take part in any further learning at a FE College or other institution. They do feel happier and more secure, in familiar unthreatening surroundings i.e. Their child’s primary school- they can take their child/children to school and stay for the class, have younger child/children cared for and then take the school child/children home at the end of the session.

Our complement of 8 laptops, together now with an additional 4, funded from LEA, Lifelong Learning, have been widely used, in our cohort of 9 schools.

We have devised a basic introductory IT 10 –week course, and students, who have completed these courses, have asked to continue to take accredited courses – OCR CLAIT, using FEFC funding. These additional classes, have occurred in 4 of our primary schools- one group have already achieved CLAIT certificate and are now working on IBT2.

We are also looking at other strategies to widen participation in FE courses e.g. Running classes in local pubs. We ran a six week course in a local pub, in the bar, a twighlight session from 5.30-7.30 PM, with good success (14 enrolled and 9 completed the course- this was end on November beginning of December- a notorious drop out time).

We are currently planning further classes in other local hostelries leisure/community centres, and the local British Legion in Clifton.

The laptops have also (and are) been used wit our classed for students with physical and learning disabilities as well as with support groups (Young Women, Senior Citizens, Recently bereaved) as one off taster courses- again with great success- we are asking for repeat courses.

Some Case Histories

1 The Tutor: Simon Murray

Simon (now 21 years old) attended Farnborough Comprehensive School, left with 8 GCSE passes. Unable to find employment, (at a time when there was high unemployment rate)- began to feel very despondent, low self esteem (because of the constant job rejections).

Encouraged by his mother (an Adult Education Tutor) to come to IT classes at Fairham- he achieved RSA CLAIT, IBT II and Text Processing Modular Awards, Stage I, II, and III. He was a temporary clerical assistant on enrolment days and at bust times, as well as acting as an invigilator- he was obviously very able and competent but still lacking in self confidence. He came to help his mother in her classes and showed a flair for teaching. He then took a FE Teacher Training Certificate stage I, whilst co-tutoring an IT class. He is now teaching at Fairham Community College, 6 hours per week, as well as teaching off site, at various primary schools, using laptop computers (for which he is the support technician) –currently working 10 hours per week. He is also working towards his IBT III.

His student retention rate is excellent, he is well thought of by students and colleagues alike.

2 Some Students

Viv Pearson had started working on the CLAIT modules when I began to teach at Nethergate School. She has now completed this assessment and has received her certificate with 5 modules. She is currently working towards her IBT II certificate. Viv is full of confidence and is always willing to give others a helping hand.

Gerald and Pat Roe are senior citizens who first showed an interest in computers at the Cyber Café. Pat had some typing experience while Gerald was a beginner. They are now very comfortable working on the laptop computers and have bought one at home. They are both working towards a CLAIT certificate. Pat has now introduced her daughter and son-in-law to Fairham Community College IT courses.

Aminder Grewell, a young mum, joined the partnership class at Milford in the autumn. She enjoyed it so much that she has continued this term and is working towards CLAIT certificate. Her confidence has blossomed and she is also studying Word and Text Processing at Fairham where she has just sat her first examination.

David Saunders is a young man who had started working towards CLAIT certificate when I took over the class at Nethergate School. He has achieved his certificate with 5 modules and is now working towards IBT II.

PLEASE COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR COURSE

Were you nervous before you started the course?
-Yes

What did you feel about the course after one lesson?
-Pleased, and liked the course.

How do you feel now?
-A lot more confident.

What can you do now that you couldn’t when you started?
-Typing, saving work.

Are you more confident using computers?
-Yes.

What do you think of laptops?
-Very good.

Do you intend to further your knowledge after this course has finished and take a qualification?
-I don’t know at the moment.

Ant other comment you would like to make?
-I am pleased I started and would like to know more things about courses.

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