Above and beyond

Extended schools services.

EXTENDED SCHOOLS ARE MAKING THE GRADE

19 September 2006

Schools which open up their doors to pupils, parents and local people outside of traditional hours can expect improvements in performance, research published today has found.

Other key findings from the latest report by the Universities of Newcastle and Manchester on their evaluation of Full Service Extended Schools include:

• Extended services can help individuals and families re-engage with learning and can have a significant impact on their life chances

• On the basis of evidence so far there is every reason for schools to persevere with the development and implementation of extended services

• Many of the challenges are being solved and the work of the Training and Development Agency for schools is vital in sharing this good practice

The research comes after OFSTED found that children young people and families benefited from enhanced self confidence, improved relationships, raised aspirations and better attitudes to learning where their school or children’s centre was providing access to extended activities.

The research is published as the DfES announces that it has exceeded its aim to have 2,500 extended schools in place by September 2006 with over 3,000 schools – 1 in 8 - offering access to extended services.

It provides a further incentive for schools to push ahead with extended services and highlights the need for other agencies like health and social services to work closely with schools in their area. Visiting Exmouth Community College in Devon, Children, Young, People and Families Minister Beverley Hughes said: “The Government’s education and children’s services reforms go hand-in-hand to improve the life and future of children and young people. By working in partnership with other agencies and the voluntary sector, Extended Schools enrich the education of pupils, give them the opportunity to take part in positive activities after the school day has finished and ensure that they have the support they need to thrive.

“The research published today endorses our approach as the right one. It confirms that extended services not only benefit children, young people, their families and wider communities but the schools which offer them can expect to see a positive impact on their academic results. Extended services are popular with pupils and parents and can also help to put schools at the heart of their communities.

“I am delighted that we have exceeded the milestone of 2,500 extended schools by this month, thanks to the enthusiasm and hard work of schools and their partners throughout children’s services and voluntary organisations. I recognise that there are challenges but the extended schools which I have visited make it clear that creativity and determination can overcome them and the work of the TDA will be vital in spreading this good practice. I hope that the growing evidence base that we now have will spur more schools and other agencies on to work together in this way.”  Beverley Hughes was joined by Schools Minister Jim Knight at the Exmouth Community College.

The report represents the findings from the second year (school year 2004-5) of the national evaluation of full service extended schools, part of the governments overall vision for all schools to offer access to a core set of extended services by 2010. It is available from the DfES Research and Statistics Gateway

Download HM Governments Extended Schools - Building on Experience Brochure.