Every family wants children to grow up happy, confident and able to make the most of learning. And every mum, dad, grandparent and carer has moments when they’d like some help to do what’s best for their family. That’s where Ampersand comes in.
We understand what it is like to look after a child, and what it is like to be a child. Our lively and enjoyable classes and workshops are the place to get good ideas and practical support with everyday family life. Learn more >
We help schools build relationships with parents so that children learn, and teachers and parents communicate better. Learn more >
We deliver parenting support and family learning through workshops and courses. Learn more >
Ampersand Learning is an authorised provider of parenting support for the Canparent trial in Camden. ‘Once Upon A Time’ is running on Thursdays 17th, 24th and 31st May 9.30-11.30 am.
Courses for adults
Real life is not a fairy tale, but children’s books are a great way to understand what it is like to be a child. Once Upon a Time, our unique short parenting course, uses children’s story books to enable adults to become more aware of childhood experiences, build stronger family relationships, support learning at home – and discover some wonderful children’s books!
Over four sessions, Once Upon a Time covers separation anxiety, positive feedback and praise, boundaries and routine, play and learning, and the importance of making time for parents’ needs – helping families to live happier ever after.
Workshops for adults
Reading is the most important skill your child will learn at school. Our enjoyable and popular Easy to Read workshop enables parents to take the stress out of reading at home and helps children want to read books. The ideas are not difficult to put into practice, but they do make a real difference.
Each Easy to Read session lasts about two hours, is suitable for up to 14 adults and takes place during the school day, at evenings and at weekends.
“I now understand what my child sees when he looks at the words on the page! Thank you.” Amina P.
“Really good practical tips for encouraging reluctant readers… and calming parents!” Charlotte S
Family workshops
These creative and enjoyable sessions are usually inspired by a popular children’s book. We show how activities and games can bring stories to life and help children to develop literacy and numeracy skills. At the same time, parents develop confidence in creative activities that help their children learn.
Family workshops usually last about two hours and are designed for about 10 families.
“This session gave me some fantastic ideas and tips.” Mary J
Other activities
We work with museums and other organisations to develop and deliver family events and activities.
Our experience suggests that, even if they had time to spare to offer support to parents, most teachers recognise that their expertise is in working with children, rather than adults. Many teachers say they wish they had more training on communicating with parents.
“We all know we need to increase parental involvement and engagement and Ampersand did just that. Parents and Grandparents were actively involved with their child for the whole morning. Everyone loved it. If, like us, you don’t get significant additional funding and staffing for extended services and home/school links, but know that you should and could be doing more, I’d thoroughly recommend Clio and Ampersand.” Kate Frood – Headteacher at Eleanor Palmer Primary School
We understand the different perspectives of parents and schools and can help bring about improved communication and relationships. Parents who are well informed about how and what their children learn not only help their children achieve, they also have greater respect for teachers!
Ampersand can help schools assess their current work with parents and help to focus precious energy and time on effective strategies that have a real impact on children’s learning.
We have devised and delivered innovative projects that combine excellent learner recruitment at the same time as building the capacity and expertise of primary school staff in offering information and support to parents and carers as part their extended school services.
We can deliver across the range of SFA-funded family learning provision, from workshops to longer accredited courses. We can offer support on creating robust evidence of progress and achievement to fulfil RARPA requirements as well as on delivery of accredited courses.
We understand the challenges of recruiting and retaining learners with Skills for Life needs, from years of experience of working with families in the London boroughs of Camden, Islington, Tower Hamlets and Southwark.
We also understand LAs’ need for accurate and timely returns on recruitment, retention and achievement. We undertake risk assessments, provide analysis of evaluations and other reports as required in order to fulfil QA requirements.
We place a high value on the quality of the learner experience, and work hard to ensure that the time learners spend with us is rewarding, informative and enjoyable.
Ampersand have proved themselves an excellent provider. They have demonstrated energy and enthusiasm in developing new partnerships with schools to deliver an innovative programme which is effective in meeting the needs of parents and also builds the capacity of schools to sustain in the future.Jennie Lavis, Deputy Head of Service, Camden ACL