Extended Services

Family Learning and Extended Services

What is are extended services?

Schools that offer extended services are key to delivering the outcomes of Every Child Matters. These schools work with local providers, agencies(and in many cases other schools) to provide access toa core offer of extended services:

Core offer

Manyschools are already seeing the benefits of offering extended services. Based ontheir experience theGovernment have set out a core offer of services that they would like all schools to offer access to(in partnership with local authorities and local providers) by 2010:-

* High quality wraparound childcare provided on the school site or through other local providers available 8am-6pm all year round.

* A varied menu of activities e.g. homework clubs, study support, sport, music tuition, dance and drama, arts and crafts, special interest clubs such as chess and volunteering, business and enterprise activities.

* Parenting Support and Family Learning including information sessions for parents at key transition points, parenting programmes run with the support of other children's services and family learning sessions to allow children to learn with their parents.

* Swift and easy referral to a wide range of specialist support services. Some may be delivered on school sites.

* Providing wider community access to ICT, sports and arts facilitiesand adult learning and family learning.

These services will need to be shaped tomeetthe needs of pupils, parents and the community; this core offer ensures thatthere is a minimum of services and activities for families.Serviceswill not necessarily be provided on the school site or by teachers. Schools developing extended services will also meandeveloping a multi-agency approach to children's services through closer collaboration between other schools, social services, healthcare professionals and the police.

What are the benefits?

There is evidence that extended services can help to:

* improve pupil attendance, self-confidence andmotivation and pupil attainment

* reduce exclusion rates

* better enable teachers to focus on teaching and learning

* enhance children's and families access to services

Ofsted will report during school inspections on how extended services are contributing to improved outcomes for children and young people.

How are extended schools set up?

'Extended school' is not a status that schools centrally apply for as activities will depend on the needs of the local community. Schools will need to work with their local authority, pupils, parents, the local community and local providers.

Teachernet www.teachernet.gov.uk has a step to step guide on how to set up extended services. Here you will find guidance, examples of good practice andcase studies, hints and tips and further contacts for all those involved inproviding access to extended services.

Extended schools advisers

Every local authority has at least one extended schools adviser (often called an extended schools remodelling adviser or ESRA) who will be working strategically with local schools (who will often have school based or cluster based co-ordinators), children's centres and local providers. They will be working closely with the Director of Children's Services.

What funding is available?

Government has committed£680m for the development of extended services from 2006 to 2008.To find out more please visit the Teachernet website www.teachernet.gov.uk

Sources of information and advice

ContinYou www.continyou.org.uk provides The Extended Schools Support Service (TESSS) which provides specialistadvice to schools, LAs and others involved in providing extended services.

TheDfESextended schools team can advise on extended schools policy, funding, practical know how etc. Email them at: extended.schools@dfes.gsi.gov.uk

Teachernet www.teachernet.gov.uk provides advice on setting up extended services.It is aimed at schools and LAs but it will also beuseful forlocal providers.

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