Learning gets a family focus

Learning is spanning the generations, with families sharing the classroom to learn new skills. Parents are returning to school, in the evenings, with their children for classes in computing, cooking, jewellery making and crafts.

Catering manager Suzanne Bean who ran the cookery session “Around the world in ten dishes” said that these Saturday morning classes are a great opportunity to get families cooking together, preparing and tasting foods they have never tried before and learning basic skills such as how to lay a table correctly. At the end of the six weeks, everyone is given a folder of recipes and a certificate of attendance.”

“Cool Crafting” is another of several six- week courses held at the school. It aims to teach families of all ages, the skills needed to design and make craft products as well as provide opportunities for enjoying working as a family unit. Ages range from four to eighty and all agree that they have learned so much since attending the weekly class. Everyone gets on and enjoys a chat while working. Sue Huggins, one of the oldest members of the group comes from Hopton with neighbour Lesley: “I love the company and to be among the young people. My skills have improved enormously since coming to these classes,” she says

Emma 9, comes with mum Mary. Mary started with the jewellery class and enjoyed it so much that she decided to join the craft class with her daughter. Mother and daughter Lynette and Anna Cowles also come along together. “It is really nice for us to do craft activities together and meet other people at the same time,” says Lynette.

Susan Czykieta leads the group, encouraging everyone to work at their own pace. “This is my first job in twenty seven years! I was very nervous at first but now I really love seeing everyone develop new skills and making progress.” The group all agree that Susan is brilliant. “She has so much patience and has taught me to crotchet right from scratch. She even re-wrote the pattern so that I could understand the terms better!” said Lesley Jardine from Hopton.

Sandra Govender, Assistant Headteacher said: “Although Adult education provides an invaluable service, it does not engage with the family as a unit. Our P.A.C.E. (Promoting Adult and Community Education) programme, however, encourages parents to enjoy learning alongside their children. These Family Learning classes strengthen the family bond as well as help build confidence and team building skills which are transferable to the classroom. We are delighted they are proving to be such a success.”

If you are interested in attending any of these classes, please contact Ms Govender on the school number or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

(Article written by Marion Fox, Healthy Schools, Norfolk)