Learn Gti is an 'out of hours' Study Support Centre, which young people from schools across North East Lincolnshire attend on a voluntary basis. The Centre provides activities aimed at raising young peoples' achievement in Literacy, Numeracy and ICT over an 8-week period.

The centre is open all day, but the sessions delivered to young people after school are part of a government strategy called 'Playing for Success'. The sessions last 1 1/2 and are delivered to primary pupils between 3.30-5pm and to secondary pupils, 6-7.30pm. The groups consist of no more than 15 young people. Free transport is provided for these pupils to and from the Centre.

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What is Playing for Success?

'Playing for Success' is a Department for Education and Skills (DfES) initiative, which has created 'out of hours' learning centres at football, rugby and cricket clubs all over the country. The focus at Study Support Centres is to raise achievement of middle ability pupils who need a boost in Literacy, Numeracy and ICT, using sport as a motivational tool. Since the Centre opened in April 2000, 16 Primary and 12 Secondary schools in the North East Lincolnshire area have sent pupils to Learn Gti. 

The Venue

A Community Arts group worked with the Centre Manager to create a carefully considered learning environment that young people really appreciate and feel enthused to learn within.

The Centre's facilities include:

  • 16 PCs
  • Fast Internet Connection
  • Promethean Whiteboard
  • 16 Digital Blue Cameras
  • Activote
  • Activslate
  • 1 DVD Video Recorder
  • Colour Laser Printer
  • 2 Laptops
  • Portable projector
  • Overhead projector
  • Photocopier
  • Soft Area

    Hire of the facility is available for schools, businesses and community groups during the day for a variety of uses i.e. training, workshops etc.

    It is possible to book either one off sessions or a number of sessions. The Centre also offers the same facilities during holiday times and weekends. Successful programmes, which the Centre has offered during the day, have included:

  • Gifted and Talented Summer School
  • SATs Booster Classes
  • One-to-one sessions for autistic and excluded pupils
  • Numeracy Days
  • Looked After Children Sessions
  • Multi-Media Madness
  • Football Club Scholars

    On-site technical support can be provided, as well as training and induction sessions to enable your staff to use the equipment. Centre staff can also be hired to develop and deliver a learning programme appropriate to your needs.

    Details of hire and staffing costs are available through contacting the Centre. 

    The Team

    The team at Learn Gti consists of a Centre Manager and Assistant Centre Manager, who are both fully qualified teachers, a team of Learning Mentors who support the Manager during his sessions and an Administrative Officer who can answer any queries you may have.

    The Centre also has excellent links with the Youth Service and the Centre employs a Youth Worker for 20 hours a week.

    There is a high ratio of students, 1:4, to staff, which means that students get a really intensive level of support.

    The Centre offers excellent provision for professional development. Several mentors have gone on to Higher Education, to study Teacher Training and Foundation degrees, whilst others have successfully gained employment as CSAs.

    The Centre has excellent links with the football club. Players and management staff regularly visit the Centre and take part in the sessions.

    What happens at Learn Gti?

    The activities completed at the Study Support Centre are designed to support the National Curriculum. Although the 'Playing for Success' sessions focus on Literacy, Numeracy and ICT, they are taught in such a way to raise self-esteem and motivation amongst young people. The emphasis is on the young people becoming more confident learners through a variety of enjoyable activities. As well as the more structured activities, games and team building are an integral part of the curriculum. Many of the activities take part in the ground, Blundell Park, which gives the young people a chance to get to know the football club. Small class sizes ensure that the young people are really supported whilst they complete their work.

    Centre staff visit the school prior to the young people starting their 8-week programme. This ensures that the Programme of Study is focused and appropriate for those particular groups' needs.

    Who can attend Learn Gti?

    During the day, the Centre is available to anyone for hire. The after-school 'Playing for Success' sessions are aimed at boys and girls in Years 5, 6, 7 and 8, who are of middle-ability academically and who are willing to attend the Centre for the 8-week period. They must attend a school in the North East Lincolnshire area. The school selects the pupils who they feel will benefit from attending the Centre.

    At the end of the 8-weeks, nightly Celebration Evening are held to reward those pupils who have attended the 'Playing for Success' sessions.  

    Contact Details

    Grimsby Town Study Support Centre
    Blundell Park,
    Cleethorpes,
    North East Lincolnshire
    DN35 7PY

    Tel.01472 323450

    Fax.01472 323462

    E-Mail: learngti@nelincs.gov.uk