Extended Schools - Overview
"An extended school is a school that recognises that it cannot work alone in helping children and young people to achieve their potential, and therefore decides to work in partnership with others who have an interest in outcomes for children. In doing so it not only meets the needs of the school but shares in meeting the wider needs of the community". DCSF 2004
"Extended Schools provide a range of services and activities, often beyond the school day, to help meet the needs of children, their families, and the wider community". DCSF Prospectus 2005
Background
The government's initial strategy was the creation of a number of 'full service extended schools' across the county. In 2005, the Local Authority nominated two full-service clusters led by Brune Park Community College in Gosport and the Wyvern Technology College in Eastleigh. A third was under development in Havant as part of the DCSF funded Behaviour Improvement Programme. During 2005/06 the emphasis in the national initiative moved away from the development of full-service extended schools to a more universal approach for all schools. In June 2005 the DfES announced a 'core offer' of extended services which it expects all children and families will be able to access at or through their local school by 2010. These are described as follows:
The core extended services which all children should be able to access by 2010
- high quality 8am-6pm childcare provided on the school-site or through other local providers
- a varied menu of activities, including study support - such as homework clubs, sports, music, tuition, arts and crafts, visits to museums, business and enterprise activities
- parenting support - including information sessions and family learning activities
- wider activities helping to re-engage pupils in school and learning
- swift and easy access to a wide range of specialist support services
The DfES have set targets expecting the core offer to be available at half of all primary schools and one third of all secondary schools by 2008. Increasingly the phrase 'extended services in and around schools' has begun to be used alongside 'extended schools' with the importance of engaging with children, parents and communities in planning of extended services being highlighted in order to respond to actual local need. Schools are equally expected to work with existing service providers in communities so as not to destabilise existing provision.
During the summer term 2005 all schools were invited to complete a basic audit of extended provision to inform the strategy, help determine priorities and produce benchmarking data against which to measure progress. Many schools across the county already provide a range of extended services such as breakfast and after school clubs, study support, ICT facilities, family and adult learning and community sports and art programmes.
The extended schools initiative is primarily about 'rasing standards' in terms of learner motivation, aspiration, achievement and behaviour, and access to support services. It is also about meeting Government targets in key services such as childcare, adult learning, healthy schools, community well-being and supporting the 'Every Child Matters' agenda.
The definition of a successful extended school cluster might be one therefore that focuses on improvements in pupil's behaviour, attendance, motivation and achievement through :
- on-site integrated health and social care
- the creation of a learning culture with positive adult role models
- increased parental involvement
- wider activities helping re-engage pupils in school and learning
- access to on-site services for staff, pupils and community
- opportunities for children outside school hours
- a closer relationship between school and community
- a community and neighbourhood renewal focus