
Kofi, a bright and curious 4-year-old, recently started Reception at St Paul’s CE Primary School in Salford, where 57% of children are eligible for free school meals – more than double the national average.
He lives with his parents in a small high-rise flat, where space is tight and opportunities for learning activities are limited. His parents, who face significant language barriers and had a limited formal education, can find it difficult to engage with Kofi’s education.
Kofi’s mother, in particular, initially struggled to connect with the expectations of school. When she dropped Kofi off, she was often seen glued to her phone, and the same habit continued during parent-child sessions. Despite her love for Kofi, she lacked confidence in her ability to help him succeed academically.
To help children like Kofi, the Early Years at Vantage programme, funded by SHINE, was introduced at his school – part of the Vantage Academy Trust.
The programme, designed to boost parental involvement and understanding of early childhood development, included six interactive sessions. Each week, the sessions focused on a different aspect:
- Communication and Language
- Physical, Social, and Emotional Development
- Literacy
- Maths
- Expressive Arts and Design
- Understanding the World
These sessions were designed to not only improve children’s learning experience but also to empower their parents with the tools and knowledge they need to support their growth at home.
In the early sessions, it was clear that Kofi’s mum lacked confidence. She continued to check her phone frequently and as she seemed unsure of how to actively engage with her son’s learning.
However, as the weeks passed, something began to change. The structured sessions gave Kofi’s mum an opportunity to put her phone away and truly focus on her son. Teachers noticed they had begun engaging well with each other.
The hands-on activities opened new avenues for communication between her and Kofi.
By the end of the six sessions, the difference was clear. The sessions gave Mum and Kofi dedicated time to connect and spend time together. Kofi’s parents reported feeling more confident in their ability to support his learning and particularly felt more confident reading and sharing stories.
These positive experiences helped ease some of the stress from their difficult home situation.
The programme has effectively boosted Mum’s confidence in supporting Kofi’s learning, especially in reading. The structured sessions equipped her with practical skills and strategies to foster a more supportive and engaging learning environment at home.