Family Learning Timetable September 2026
Coffee morning will be every week (may be subject to change) and the coffee morning day will change each half term
Watch this space for other exciting classes coming in the future
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AM | Henry 9:15 -10:45 starting 22nd September 2026
8 week course with Karen Goody and Hayley Walker from Bankside Primary . Please ask in the office if you would like to join |
Conversation and coffee morning with Karen Goody
ESOL type session |
Safer Schools safeguarding sessions with focus topics to help parents and carers to keep their child safe. Starting 10th September |
Coming soon – cooking sessions with Feel Good Factor – look out for a flyer coming home to register your interest. Come and learn how to make quick, easy, nutritional meals for your family that are also cheap to make.
In the future we will be looking at doing family cooking sessions.
Cooking sessions proved popular and we are looking to work with an outside provider to deliver these as part of our Family Learning offers.
A key priority for Family Learning is to extend the programme in school for family members (parents, grandparents, carers and siblings) of Hillcrest children. We want to ensure we are proactive and embrace our role as a hub for the local community. In turn, this commitment also contributes to the Academy Improvement Plan and underpins our Ofsted achievements. Ofsted, on their inspection In May 2026 said:
This is a school where everyone is welcome.
The school is an inclusive and vibrant place to learn.
From the moment that they join, they are welcomed into a diverse and caring school community.
Coffee Mornings and other parent group sessions- please see timetable.
Moving forwards, our coffee mornings will resume from Wednesday 9th September. Coffee mornings are a valuable way to bring our community together and discuss current topics. During these sessions we will also talk about our link with Safer Schools – an app to support parents with their understanding around safeguarding. We will also be having safeguarding sessions each week to look at topics to help parents understand how to keep their children safe when not in school.
We will also support parents with any questions they may have and anything that they may be worried about so we can signpost them to the correct agency for support. We will also be discussing what classes parents would like to see happening so we could look at new classes.
Coffee mornings will also focus on speaking and listening to give parents an ESOL type session. This is open to anyone who wants to try and build their confidence, working towards and exam, wants to feel more confident. It is also open to others who may are confident speakers to buddy up with others to help with acquiring the English language.
Secondary School – parents of Year 6 children (due to start secondary school in September 2027)
Karen Goody will also be available to make an appointment with to help parents of year 6 children with their application for secondary school. The application window is open from September 2026 to around 31st October 2026.
HENRY Course
Starting 22nd September at Hillcrest Academy 9am to 11am
This is a course that is run by the Health and Wellbeing service to provide a parenting class to families with a variety of topics.
HENRY course practitioners view ‘a healthy start’ in its broadest possible sense, adopting a holistic approach that focuses on the things that have a real impact in later life. This includes supporting breastfeeding, improving nutrition, emotional wellbeing, parenting skills, healthy nutrition, oral health and a more active lifestyle. By focusing on these elements, we can reduce the risk of tooth decay, obesity and associated diseases (such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease), as well as improve school readiness and future life chances.
Karen Goody is also running 1-1 HENRY sessions. This is a more flexible approach as the times can be flexible. This is delivered over 8 weeks in the academy and is for parents that feel a group session is not for them but they still want to take part in the programme
Please contact Karen Goody for further information on 0113 2624080.
English Course (ESOL)
We are still trying to get a tutor to delver ESOL sessions. We have previously worked with Learning Partnerships and this was a successful partnership but there is a shortage of tutors. We will continue to try and secure a tutor in the future.
In the meantime, Karen Goody will be offering ESOL type sessions as part of coffee mornings on a Wednesday morning.
Improve your Speaking and Listening and increase your confidence in having conversations. We will be looking at online websites to help with this.
Please contact the Karen Goody at the academy for further information.
Questions?
Where will the classes be held?
All classes are held on the top floor in the Community Hub at Hillcrest Academy. To safeguard our children and staff, separate access is through the side entrance to school (Breakfast and After School Club door) and up the stairs.
Is there a cost?
There is currently no cost to attend any sessions.
Also in school…
We continue to work with Better Leeds Communities to signpost and offer families a service. They help in many ways to help families who may be struggling or have money concerns. This service can look at ways to make your debts become more manageable, whether that’s through paying them back at a lower rate, write offs or utilising trust funds and grants that may be available. They can look at all types of debt, from catalogues and credit cards, to rent, council tax and water bills. They will also work together with families to help create and stick to a sustainable budget for everything that families need to live on. Better Leeds Communities can also provide support with housing related issues like damp and disrepair, rent increases and tenancy issues. Alongside housing advice, they can give families support and advice around any benefits issues. They can also help with things like application forms, benefit overpayments and queries, as well as checking you’re getting everything you’re entitled to.
Karen Goody (Family Support Manager) is available to support with any day to day concerns you may have or need support with such as signposting to services for help with money problems.
The academy continues to work with Zarach to apply for a bed or beds.
We can also help with applying for school places.
We can help with emotional support and signpost if you are struggling to cope.
Hillcrest Academy is also registered with the Leeds Food Bank so please do not hesitate to contact school. This is confidential and Karen Goody will provide an appointment to look at what your family needs and how we can work in partnership to support families in this area of need.
