Charnwood Learning Centre supports disadvantaged children and their families through education, running after-school and weekend classes to help children with their core subjects, Mathematics and English. The Centre also accommodates children who are excluded from local schools and provides learning resources and counselling for them.
They aim to develop strong, positive relationships with communities from different backgrounds, motivating children and young people and giving them advice that can lead them into positive educational pathways. In addition, the Centre helps parents to understand the English education system and to communicate with schools and other agencies.
With a grant of £2,400 the Ian & Caroline McAlpine Community Fund and John Laing Foundation, Charnwood Learning Centre was able to provide lessons in English and Maths for year ten students from St Matthews who were underachieving and therefore unlikely to meet the required grades of C or above. Students were encouraged to read more to build their vocabulary and general knowledge, and were taught literacy through drama, debating and class discussions. They also learned exam and revision techniques to help in their upcoming GCSEs.
Many of the children who benefited from the project come from overcrowded homes with little peace and quiet to study. The project provided them with sound learning environments with lots of space and learning resources. At the end of the project, the participants and their siblings are still able to access to the Charnwood Learning Centre to use the resources available at the centre.
For information on how to set up your own charitable giving fund, please contact Katy Green at Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation on 0116 262 4804.
