Extended schools
Extended schools act as a focal point within their communities for a range of services. They work with local providers, agencies and, in many cases, other schools to provide access to what the Government calls a 'core offer' of support. By 2010, all schools are required to provide access to this core offer, even if they do not offer all of the services themselves. The core offer consists of:
- A varied menu of activities (including study support, play/recreation, sport, music, arts and crafts and other special interest clubs, volunteering and business and enterprise activities), in a safe place, for primary and secondary schools.
- Childcare 8:00am — 6:00pm, 48 weeks a year for primary schools.
- Parenting support, including family learning.
- Swift and easy access to targeted and specialist services such as speech and language therapy.
- Community access to facilities including adult learning, ICT and sports facilities.
Extended schools provide huge potential for accessing parental and community resources to support the improvement of children's literacy skills, their self-esteem and an enthusiasm for reading. To read about the effectiveness of extended schools, visit the research section of teachernet: www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/extendedschools/research
Links:
For more details from the DCSF's Teachernet website visit www.teachernet.gov.uk/extendedschools
The education charity ContinYou runs The Extended Schools Support Service. Visit www.continyou.org.uk
If you work in a local authority, the IDeA (Improvement and Development Agency) might be able to help you develop extended schools in your area. Visit www.idea-knowledge.gov.uk
Resources
A series of leaflets offering practical advice for schools can be downloaded from www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/extendedschools
Adding Value: Adult learning and extended services is a guide for managers and coordinators, supporting the development of extended services in schools. It is also aimed at those in adult learning and family learning services who wish to work with schools, and local authority officers supporting extended schools. Download the guide from www.everychildmatters.gov.uk
Extended Schools - A Guide for Governors I contains an overview of extended schools and the strategic context for them, examples of the forms they can take, and a checklist to help governors plan. It is available to download from http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk
Realising the potential of school-based networks is an online toolkit looking at how local authorities can use school-based networks as a key strategic lever in their change for children programmes. It is produced by I&DeA, the Improvement and Development Agency for local government.
Visit www.idea-knowledge.gov.uk
