Haywood Library s Homework Club

1. Haywood Library�s Homework Club Presentation by Sharon Corbally, Library/School Liaison Officer at Haywood Library. Post acts as link between staff and students of Haywood High School & Engineering College in Stoke-on-Trent and staff and customers of the dual use school and public library within the school grounds � and links both to the wider community that we are a part of.

2. Haywood Library�s Homework Club The dual-use library is sited within Haywood City Learning Centre, which also houses four sets of PCs; LearnDirect support; a new CAD/CAM suite and the office of the media � so the influence of IT is high. A change in staffing at Homework Club has left City Learning Centre and Library staff wondering how we can improve our study support.

3. Stoke-on-Trent Libraries��Brainwaves� Began in October 2005 in four libraries across Stoke-on-Trent. Designed as study support clubs aimed at Key Stage 2 children. Planned, delivered and coordinated by Lynne Evans, with support from Community Librarians and the staff at the host library. Homework and other, linked activities are undertaken and measured against the 5 MLA Generic Learning Outcomes:

4. Stoke-on-Trent Libraries��Brainwaves� Increase in Knowledge & Understanding � Evidence: Learning about new subjects, successful completion of homework topics, encouraging curiosity. Increase in Skills � Improved research skills, keyboard skills, design skills, life skills � accessing help; turn-taking; learning to be patient; interaction with young people of different ages, from different backgrounds and schools.

5. Stoke-on-Trent Libraries��Brainwaves� Changes in attitudes/values � Changes in perception, learning to set own targets, why is homework set & why should I complete it? Increased enjoyment, inspiration, creativity � Children (and parents) report benefiting from a more informal learning environment Progress / Achievement � Evidence of improvement in standards

6. Stoke-on-Trent Libraries��Brainwaves� Each child completes Achievement Record, highlighting progress and indicating outcomes. Each child receives certificate, completion letter and (with permission) a picture is forwarded to parents and school, to celebrate their good work, commitment and continuous attendance. School receives a letter and copy of the Achievement Record, and are invited to feed back. Anecdotal evidence is also carefully recorded to inform evaluations.

7. Stoke-on-Trent Libraries��Brainwaves� First evaluation undertaken after 6 months of the scheme. Students from 12 schools across the city had enrolled into Brainwaves sessions. 40 students enrolled in total - 9 boys and 31 girls. 5 students were older originally intended target group. Formal and anecdotal evidence showed that children, parents and carers and schools are reporting very positive outcomes from attendance at Brainwaves clubs.

8. Haywood High School�s Homework Club Attendance measured in numbers of students from each year group; gender and homework subject. Figures are submitted to the school and City Learning Centre staff on a monthly basis. Attendance has steadily increased since the school�s Learning Mentor Team moved the small homework club from the school building into the City Learning Centre in 2001.

9. Haywood High School�s Homework Club 2005-06 Attendance averages at 42 students per day. This varies greatly across weeks and terms, with two days of one week in October seeing 107 & 53 attendants. Attended most heavily during autumn term. Prior to Easter break, consistently more girls using the facility than boys. This changed after Easter, and the new trend has continued into autumn 2006.

10. Haywood High School�s Homework Club to 2006 Homework club 2.35/3.10 until 4 p.m. The Learning Mentor Teams assist Year 7-9 students on mezzanine level PCs. Year 10 & 11 students work unsupervised on the ground floor PCs. The work of Year 10 & 11 is prioritised, with the aim of achieving good GCSE grades. Unlike the less formal Brainwaves session, students have been encouraged to see Homework Club as an extension of school � and school rules apply.

11. Haywood High School�s Homework Club Relatively recent integration of the school library into the City Learning Centre has left the library in a supporting role. The Library currently offers rolling programme of inductions into library use; information retrieval skills sessions; reading assistance and Book Club and is heavily used by students during the day. However, during Homework Club, the same library is seen as a place to wait until a PC to becomes available!

12. Haywood High School�s Homework Club � the future Library and City Learning Centre staff currently organise Homework Club on an informal basis, as Learning Mentors have withdrawn. Practical considerations of small numbers of staff running a large club can impact upon the club�s effectiveness. As data � and experience � suggests that the club is heavily used, staff would like it to continue on a more formal footing.

13. Haywood High School�s Homework Club � to consider School staff to provide formal evidence of changes in attendants academic & social skills Students / parents / carers to provide similar evidence in anecdotal form. Links between teaching staff and homework club to be fostered, to increase accuracy & the meeting of deadlines. Any suggestions?