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Get involved
Award-winning actor James Nesbitt tells parents how they can make a difference to their child's success at school
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Award-winning actor James Nesbitt tells parents how they can make a difference to their child's success at school |
He was brought up in a house next to the school where his father was head teacher, and he originally wanted to be a teacher himself.
So there's no surprise that award-winning actor James Nesbitt was willing to appear in a short film for parents encouraging them to get involved in their children's learning.
"You've been your child's first teacher from the moment they were born," says the father-of-two (46).
"You've helped shape their lives and the way they behave, so why stop now? "Getting involved only takes a few small steps but it could help your child make big leaps forward."
Top tips
Nesbitt, originally from Northern Ireland, made his career breakthrough in the television comedy-drama Cold Feet, and later won the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor for his role in the film Bloody Sunday.
In 'Getting Involved,' a short film aimed at parents with children of secondary school age, he plays a straight-talking teacher, but still retains some of his 'cheeky chappie' image.
"Life is very hectic at secondary school," says Nesbitt.
"There are loads of distractions on offer, so kids need to be organised to get the most out of their learning.
"As a parent, you can help your kids manage their learning by doing things at home which might appear small, but at the end of the day can make a big difference."
These include:
- try to provide somewhere quiet, preferably with a desk or table, for kids to do their homework
- keep pens, pencils and calculators handy, and make sure your kids know where they're kept
- keep a dictionary handy for checking meanings and spellings. It will help your child find out things for themselves.
- help them but don't do their homework for them. If you ask them for an explanation, it will encourage them to think things through more clearly
- every so often look through their books with them and keep an eye on teachers' comments
- go out and about and enjoy learning together. Use everyday activities like going to the shops to brush up on basic skills (for example, at the till ask them to work out how much change you should get)
- watch out for TV programmes that have something to do with school
- breakfast gives pupils energy to learn
- educational games, books and things to do on the Internet make learning really enjoyable
Parents' evenings
And if possible – try to attend parents' evenings.
"If you're aware of what your child's up to at school, what their interests are, what they enjoy or even what they find difficult, it will help you to help them with their learning at home," says Nesbitt.
"The teachers are there for your benefit – to help you – not to test your knowledge.
"Children and young people spend 80 per cent of their time outside school so it makes sense to take what their learning inside school to life outside."
A challenge worth taking
The film, which is available on the internet (see info box, below), is being used as part of a wider campaign called the Hull Challenge which aims to improve secondary school performance, and in particular GCSE results.
Last year, Hull's Year 11 pupils achieved the city's best-ever GCSE results, with 36.9 per cent of them achieving five or more A*-C grades, including maths and English, compared to 29.6 per cent in 2008.
But Hull is still near the bottom of the national GCSE league table.
Other measures being introduced through Hull Challenge include increasing the number of talented and experienced teachers working in Hull schools and employing expert advisors to offer advice on problems with behaviour and attendance.
Exam Jam
And if your child is taking GCSEs this year, why not encourage them to enter the Exam Jam?
Amazing prizes are up for grabs – like a day driving a sports car around a top race track, or a training session with a professional football or rugby squad, or a makeover with a top hair stylist, or the chance to attend a private gig performed by international pop superstars.
And these are being given away to Year 11 pupils in Hull who show the most improvement between their mock exams in January and their final GCSE exams in the summer.
The prizes will be awarded in September at a glitzy ceremony hosted by radio station Galaxy FM at the Hull Truck theatre.
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