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With generous funding from DEFRA's Environmental Action Fund and a partnership between the NCPTA and Learning through Landscapes, the Learning Together programmne supported over 2,000 PTAs interested in helping schools make the most of their grounds. - 60% of parents chose to become involved in Learning Together as they believed it would be of direct educational benefit to their children. - 25% of parents were directly motivated by the ESD themes of the programme. - 32% stated an interest in Wildlife, Citizenship/Participation and Community/Parental Involvement projects. - 93% stated that Learning Together had motivated them to do more for the environment Schools were most interested in the programme delivering ESD benefits to them. The three year programme showed PTAs how to get started on a school grounds project and develop the grounds into a safe, healthy and sustainable environment. The PTAs involved raised an average of over £5,500 each, giving an extrapolated total of in excess of £11m worth of funding raised over the three year lifespan of the programme. All English PTAs registering for the scheme received a FREE support package designed especially for parents. This included:
- A resource pack to help them design, plan and implement their project. This included advice on good environmental practice, where to get further help and information on sustainable themes such as waste and growing food in the grounds.
(2123 packs were distributed. 66% rated them as 'good' or 'very good')
- Access to Learning through Landscapes’ helpline on school grounds and the environment.
- Information about and access to additional training opportunities. (685 delegates attended 18 training events; 96% felt that the training was either very valuable or valuable.)
- Information on how LTL could help them develop their projects long term.
(76% rated the overall quality of the support package as Very Good or Good) .
In addition, NCPTA members also had access to:
- NCPTA / LTL Good Practice Award scheme with financial awards. There were eight rounds of awards; 187 entries received in total, 48 received awards.
- Regional training by LTL at NCPTA events.
Who was it for?The Learning Together programme was available to all PTAs in England. 2,062 PTAs and parent groups registered for the programme.
71% of all PTAs involved believed that parental involvement in the life of the school had increased as a direct result of Learning Together.
Meaningful pupil participation is one of the key tenets of LTL s work, and 98% of PTAs stated that their project was involving pupils in a fundamental manner.
45% of parents were involved in practical hands on work such as site clearance, ground preparation, weeding and so on. 20% were also involved in the more traditional PTA role of fundraising.
What should I do next?
LTL continuously monitor and evaluate our programmes to ensure that they meet the needs of our partners and stakeholders.
If you would like to read about the outcomes of this programme, please have a look at the full Evaluation Report.
Start a school grounds project at your school! Join LTL to access specialist advice and support, the latest resources, case study information and to find out more about funding opportunities for school grounds projects. |
What's new?
The Learning Together Award Winners 2005:
Winner: Longden Church of England School PTA, Shropshire
Runners Up: Fordingbridge Junior School PTA, Hampshire, Friends of Longwell Green School, Bristol, Hotham School PTA, London, Lancaster Lane Community Primary School PTA, Lancashire, St Augustine's Roman Catholic Primary School PTA, Essex
Previous Award Winners:
The winners 2004:
Winner: Venerable Bede CE Secondary School, Sunderland
Runners Up: Franche First School, Kidderminster, Graveley Primary School, Herfordshire, London Meed CP School, West Sussex, Pelham Primary School, London, St Albans RC Primary School, Birmingham |
Partners:
Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA): www.defra.gov.ukThe Environmental Action Fund was set up by DEFRA to help voluntary groups in England advance the Government's sustainable development policies. The Fund's priority areas were biodiversity and understanding and awareness of sustainable development. Find out more at DEFRA's website here. The National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations: www.ncpta.org.ukThe NCPTA is a registered charity that advances education by promoting partnerships between home and school and providing support for Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs). They represent more than 6 million parents and teachers through some 11,500 individual PTAs.
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