Community learning

Working together to help make the
University Quarter a learning community.

The Community Learning task group was led by Penny Vincent from Staffordshire University.

6th form college

 

The first Community Learning task group meeting was on the 4th February 2016 at Stoke Sixth Form College.

 

The group:

    • researched the University Quarter area –
      • all learning opportunities and providers,
      • statistics about educational inequalities
      • information about access including childcare
    • focussed on literacy, and linked with Hot Air Literary Festival, Staffordshire University, the Sentinel, Beanstalk Charity and Stoke Libraries for the Big Read in June each year.Pictured at Hanley Library are Professor Allan Howells, the deputy vice chancellor and Deborah Sanderson Head of Graduate and Business Relations for the lead on Staffordshire University helping to fund almost 10,000 books as part of the Big Read initiative. These books, along with literature from the university , will be delivered to dozens of schools across the city. The book is Monkey Puzzle.
    • connected with key partners and initiatives – City of Sport, Sentinel, British Ceramics Biennial, Family Learning (City Council), University recruitment,
    • explored options for increased public access to IT facilities locally
    • identified buildings with rooms available for hire for community learning
    • developed mentoring between learners of different ages including University students mentoring Stoke College students, Sixth Form College students mentoring St Mark’s primary school learners and adult learners
    • held a Big Book Swap Picnic in Hanley Park on Sunday 12th June 2016 and 
    • organised ONE BIG PICNIC Celebration in Hanley Park on Sunday 11th June 2017.