Extended Schools

What is an extended school?

"An extended school is one 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 other agencies that have an interest in outcomes for children and young people and with the local community. In doing so, it aims to help meet not only the school's objectives but also to share in helping to meet the wider needs of children, young people, families and their community." DfES 2004

Extended schools will be required to offer a number of key services including:

• Wraparound childcare
• A variety of activities to children and young people including study support
• Parenting support including family learning
• Swift and easy referral processes to specialised services
• Community use of facilities and adult learning

What are the benefits of extended schools?

Benefits for pupils and schools:

• Higher level of pupil achievement
• Increased pupil motivation, self esteem and behaviour
• Specialist support to meet pupils' wider needs

Benefits for families:

• Improvements in behaviour and social skills
• Greater parental involvement in learning
• More opportunities for local adult education and family learning
  
  

Benefits for communities:

• Improved local availability of sports, art and ICT
• Children and young people have access to supervised activities out of school hours
• Closer relationships with schools