First Steps: briefing document for schools

The Extending Learning Opportunities document is an update of the Study Support Code of Practice and is recommended for use by all schools, centres and organisations who deliver study support activities for children and young people. It is a self evaluation tool which takes the user through a quality development process.

First Steps is a concept designed to introduce an audience to using the Extending Learning Opportunities document (ELO) in more detail. It essentially guides the audience through a simple set of questions; the responses to which will address certain themes in the ELO.

The concept lends itself to local interpretation and a number of LAs have designed their own First Steps programme for use with schools and centres who are interested in using the ELO. One particular LA used the model as a “readiness indicator” for schools and settings and made it a requirement before engaging with the ELO. Alternatively schools could adapt the approach to benchmark performance across departments or targeted groups.