In-school sessions for parents

My name is Caroline Hudson. I am a highly experienced Primary School Teacher based in Guiseley, Leeds.

As part of my work with schools across Yorkshire and the Humber, I offer small group courses in schools, for parents who would like to support their child’s learning more confidently.

Photo: Helen Langdale Photography

As a teacher, do you find that parents struggle to effectively support their child’s learning at home?

Parents tell me that they often do not understand what’s taught in lesson time, as the methods and expectations are so different to how they were taught.

This often causes ineffective or inaccurate support at home, leading to frustration for pupils, parents and teachers alike. It can knock everyone’s confidence, and lead to anxiety and often disengagement.

I offer short courses in schools, for parents to improve their confidence and up-to-date knowledge - without your school having to free up valuable teaching time and staff. My courses are designed to complement the work you are doing in class, and are tailored to your school’s schemes.

“Caroline has really helped me to understand how literacy and maths is taught now in school. I now know how to support my sons at home. She also listened to my worries and concerns about how my children were learning at school, giving great advice and tips. She gave me lots of games to use with them at home. I cannot recommend her enough.”

- Recent course attendee feedback

Parents receive:

  • Five weekly sessions in small, friendly groups

  • Knowledge and understanding of current teaching methods/curriculum tailored to their child’s year group and your school

  • School-type resources to use at home with suggested activities

  • Access to a free online support group where myself and other parents can answer questions and problem solve

This leads to positive outcomes - including:

  • Improved, long-term parent confidence and engagement with school and learning

  • Children are confident with core Maths and English content, meaning they are free to engage with higher-order learning

  • Positive impact on school data, as children’s understanding and skills improve

Extra outcomes reported by parents:

  • improved parent - child relationships

  • confidence and respect from children about their parent’s ability to help

  • sense of purpose and pride in parenting skills

  • understanding of the bigger picture for schools

  • anticipation of next steps in learning

  • confidence to show their children new things

  • improved self esteem for parents and children

  • confidence to partake in the community

  • development of collegiate attitudes and desire to learn more

And so much more!

Feedback from parents

  • “Caroline tailored each session very carefully to meet the needs of all of us in the group.”

  • “Caroline helped me to understood more about what they were doing in class. I loved all the resources that I received and was shown how to use. I was really glad I did it.”

  • “Caroline created a safe space where I could raise any kind of questions and concerns.”

Feedback from schools

“Caroline has worked with our families for the best part of two years. Her work helped our parents understand what their children are doing in Maths and English.

Caroline has become a firm favourite with one particular group of ladies. This group includes some very vulnerable women, who have been gently encouraged to attend the KTT class. Through the amazing work that Caroline has been doing, a number of ladies from this group have felt empowered enough to apply for volunteering jobs within the school, and one lady is applying for a minibus licence. This will enable her to take the rest of the group on days away and trips through the holidays.

The KTT ladies are a self-reliant group who manage their own finances and are very entrepreneurial. They have become very confident and share their ideas and challenges with Caroline, who in turn offers a safe environment for the group to find solutions.

Caroline is very aware of the needs of our local community and adapts her classes to these requirements. Her approach is kind, supportive and very understanding whereby on some occasions the ladies just enjoy having a chat over coffee, because they feel so safe and welcomed by her. Caroline has nurtured the ladies to become independent and role models within their own community. Many strong meaningful relationships have been built here at Dixons Manningham Primary school through the work Caroline is doing. We look forward to more partnerships with her in the future.”

— Nazia Ansari - Community Liaison Officer, Dixons Manningham Primary.

If you are a teacher and would like to discuss having a Kitchen Table Teacher course in your school, please drop me a line at caroline@kitchentableteacher.co.uk, or telephone me on 07915 720699, and I would be very pleased to discuss this with you. I am also happy to run a free taster session.