Membership

What is LAP?

What is the Learning Assistance Programme?

The Learning Assistance Programme (LAP) was established in South Australia in 1976 in a suburban Secondary School. Since then, hundreds of South Australian schools with students from Reception to Year 12 have introduced this programme. Schools in other States of Australia and a growing number of international schools overseas have also adopted this unique educational programme.

Student centred and volunteer/mentor based, LAP provides one-to-one learning support, enrichment and care for students of all ages with diverse academic and personal needs through the powerful and positive contributions of mentors/volunteers.

The Learning Assistance Programme assists schools to:

  • Develop positive relationships between students/mentors in a safe, one-to-one environment;
  • Increase the self-esteem and confidence of students of all ages and year levels;
  • Support the successful learning of students;
  • Promote, encourage and value parent and community commitment and partcipation;
  • Foster parent and teacher relationships; and
  • Create a genuine sense of community within the school

The relationship-centred LAP programme provides mentors with heart-warming experiences in which qualities like empathy, patience and confidence-building thrive. Schools are supported through professional development and consultancy services and have access to a range of resources as outlined in the resources section of this site.

The Learning Assistance Programme is a unique programme. Its philosophy is based on specific principles and established practices relevant for all schools, regardless of educational system, socio-economic background, location, size and year levels of schools.

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The Philosophy of LAP

LAP:

  • Is always one-to-one
  • Is about relationships
  • Builds confidence and self-esteem
  • Takes a creative approach to learning
  • Promotes parent and community participation in the school
  • Provides a school-based community service programme for Year 12/senior students that is internationally recognised
  • Links with local and international curricula

Student centred and volunteer/mentor based, this cost effective programme is established on the concept of one-to-one interaction between a student and volunteer for a regular session each week. A volunteer is matched carefully with a student to build upon the student's strengths, interests and abilities.

Self-esteem and confidence is increased through the provision of personal care, extension, enrichment and learning support. LAP has unlimited potential to make a real difference to school communities.

It is important to note that LAP is NOT:

  • Parents listening to children read in a classroom setting
  • Parents/volunteers supporting a number of students in the classroom setting
  • Volunteers being rotated through groups of children, e.g. a volunteer allocated a new student to work with every few weeks
  • Volunteers working with groups of children
  • Volunteers assisting in school elective and other programmes
  • Volunteers working online from their computers at home
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