Hampton School Lion Learning Programme
The Lion Learning Programme is a year-long scheme which offers Year 5 pupils from local primary schools regular lessons in English, Maths, Science and Philosophy, taught by subject specialists from Hampton School, with Sixth Formers acting as mentors.
Aims
The Lion Learning initiative aims to provide new learning opportunities for Year 5 pupils. The programme is designed to stretch and challenge able pupils from a range of local primary schools. As well as providing lessons in English, Maths, Science and Philosophy, the sessions are designed to build confidence, instil a love a learning, develop academic vocabulary and encourage all participants to have fun.
In their role as mentors, Hampton Sixth Formers also have an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and learn how to work with, encourage, support and challenge young children.
Background
Hampton School has been running SHINE ‘Serious Fun on Saturdays’ for over 20 years. Over 430 Year 5 pupils have benefitted from the scheme since its launch. Although fun and worthwhile, it was felt that the ‘Serious Fun on Saturdays’ initiative was not always reaching children from particular sectors of the community who could potentially thrive from the additional academic enrichment on offer.
The new Lion Learning initiative will stretch academically able pupils beyond the usual curricula through a range of fun, exciting and thought-provoking activities. The pupils will also be assigned a Sixth Form mentor who will help deliver the bespoke lessons and support the development of academic vocabulary.
Our partner schools nominate children who they feel will benefit from the opportunity to attend the programme and we are reliant on their expertise in selecting appropriate pupils. Parents of selected pupils must be supportive of the ethos of the programme and ensure their child attend every session, as well as complete the homework.
Resources
The Year 5 pupils benefit from a variety of curriculum topics: English, Maths, Science and Philosophy. Hampton School funds the programme, which makes use of School facilities including science labs, classrooms and resources. Four teaching staff are involved in delivering lessons for the duration of the 12-month Lion Learning scheme. An Assistant Head co-ordinates the programme and a member of the Admissions Department provides administrative support while Hampton School catering department prepare refreshments for mid-morning break.
Impact
Feedback will be sought from participating pupils during the course of the Lion Learning programme. Parents will be invited to complete a survey at the end of the 12-month period. The partner schools will be invited to send their own feedback throughout the course. Baseline tests were completed at the start of the course and follow-up tests will be compared to those done by a control group.
Pupil Involvement
In 2023-24, 36 Year 5 girls and boys from eight local primary schools attended the Lion Learning programme.
Fourteen Lower Sixth Form mentors attend each each session to provide additional support.
Frequency
The programme runs at Hampton School across Saturday mornings from January in Year 5 until December in Year 6. The first cohort of pupils began the scheme in January 2020. The programme runs from 9.15am until 12.30pm over the 12-month period and lessons take place once a month.