Two family learning projects in Nottinghamshire have been chosen as examples of best practice by Ofsted and NIACE (the National Institute for Adult and Continuing Education).

Family BLOODHOUND, based around a 1,000mph World Land Speed Record attempt and Family Dr Who are both run by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Adult and Community Learning Service Team in local communities to boost interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects among young children and their families.

The county council successfully applied to NIACE for the two projects to feature in themed inspections by Ofsted and NIACE focused on the contribution of family learning provision in schools and early years settings.

Coun John Knight, Culture Committee chairman at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “It is wonderful news that these two courses are going to feature as examples of good practice nationally for family learning courses.

“Both Family BLOODHOUND and Family Dr Who cover STEM subjects, helping engage children and young families in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and have been a great success in the local communities where they have been hosted.”

Family Dr Who includes making a working model Dalek with electrical circuits. It was developed by Nottinghamshire County Council Family Learning Development Worker Alison Sisson and colleagues from the ACLS team in partnership with Sutton Academy and libraries to support the 50 year Dr Who celebrations at Mansfield Library.

Angela Padley, from Douglas Road, in Sutton, took part in the Family Dr Who classes with her son Alex, ten. The sessions they attended were held at Alex’s school, Forest Glade School, between February and April this year.

Angela said: “I could see in Alex’s face that he was enthralled and it was a lovely course. We got to build Daleks and other Dr Who projects and learnt so much along the way. I would recommend these courses to other families to consider taking part in.”

Kirkby Woodhouse Primary School piloted the Dr Who course in October 2013. Headteacher Ruth Maddison said: “I was delighted with the group of parents and children who came along. They could not wait for each session. It went well beyond ‘making models’.

“There was so much learning about maths and technology and this was evident when the children fed back to a whole school assembly, showing their working models. There were many children who then wished that they had taken part!”

For more details about ACLS courses organised by Nottinghamshire County Council go to www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk