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Stephen Metcalfe, local MP
for South Basildon and East Thurrock, recently joined the Basildon Education
Services Trust (BEST) at Pioneer’s School to present awards to parents who have
worked on developing their skills and engaged in family learning. He also
delivered a speech in which he thanked BEST for their hard work promoted the
advantages learning in the family environment.
BEST is a
company with charitable status, working on behalf of a partnership of 37
schools who collaborate to raise the aspirations and achievement of over 10,000
children, young people and their parents in Basildon Town, allowing them to
learn, grow, develop, and fulfil their potential.
All
BEST Schools work hard to offer a range of initiatives that engage parents to
enable them to support their child’s learning and social and emotional
wellbeing. BEST’s ‘Time Out for Parents and Carers’ programme compliments the
work schools are already undertaking and brings parents and carers from across
the locality together to continue their own learning journey.
By
being based in our schools during the day, the programme offers parents and
carers who normally find it difficult to access adult education an opportunity
to learn together in a non threatening, non judgemental local
environment. A free crèche is also provided.
Run in association with the WEA and Essex Adult
Community Learning, over 400 parents
whose children attend BEST schools, have participated in over 120 free courses
since September 2012 that help them develop skills in 5 key areas:
- Supporting
their child’s learning
- Parenting
Skills
- Developing
key skills in Literacy, Numeracy and IT
- Developing
healthier lifestyles
·
Supporting self
development and preparation for returning to the workplace.
The local
MP, who is also patron of BEST commented: “It was a privilege to attend the
BEST parents awards evening and to present the mums, dads, carers and guardians
with their awards. Family engagement and family learning are key to the future
prosperity of our children and young people and I hope that parents across
Basildon can be inspired by the achievements of those who received awards.”
In his
speech, Mr Metcalfe commented on the role of parents’ attitudes, aspirations
and behaviour in shaping a child’s outlook stating that good quality home
learning contributes more to children’s intellectual and social development
than parental occupation, education or income. He also commented that it can be
a great way of improving the confidence of parents.
Mr Metcalfe
added: “I share in BEST’s belief that there is unlimited potential here in
Basildon. I will continue to work hard with the organisation and with local
schools and parents to promote this message.”
