Children's & Young People's Services

Extended Schools

By 2010, all children should have access to a range of extended services in and around their school.

While many schools may choose to develop an even richer mix of services and activities, the core offer for mainstream and special schools is:

Primary schools provide access to high-quality childcare, 8am – 6pm, five days a week, 48 weeks a year, in accordance with their communities’ needs, combined with a varied menu of activities (study support) to enhance achievement and broaden interests
Secondary schools provide access to a varied menu of study support and enrichment activities which provide fun and stimulating activities for young people, as well as a safe place to be
Schools provide access to parenting support, including information sessions for parents of pupils joining reception and on transfer to secondary school; signposting to national and local sources of information, advice and support; access to parenting groups using structured, evidence-based parenting programmes; and family learning sessions to allow children to learn with their parents, where consultation has shown there is a demand
Swift and easy access: working closely with other statutory services and the voluntary and community sector, schools ensure that children with additional needs are identified as early as possible, and are well supported through integrated working with other services
Schools ensure they provide community access to appropriate facilities, such as ICT suites, sports and arts facilities, and also provide access to adult learning

The strategic role of the local authority

In line with the Children Act 2004, local authorities are working with key partners to strategically plan, commission and coordinate extended services. This includes helping ensure initiatives, such as regeneration, capital programmes for school buildings, the specialist schools initiative, Every child matters, the local children’s workforce strategy, local area agreements, children and young people’s plans, as well as Sure Start children's centres, link with, and support, the extended services agenda.

Local authorities are also helping schools to identify resources, including funding. Extended services must be affordable and sustainable long term.

Important considerations

Consultation

The Education Act 2002 requires schools to consult with pupils, staff, parents and carers, local communities and the local authority to ensure the services they develop are shaped around the needs of the pupils and their local community. It is good practice to also seek the views of staff unions.

Governors’ role

Governing bodies play a key role in consulting with communities. Consultation should be carried out regularly to guarantee that the service provided continues to reflect local need.

Workload

Extended services are not about teachers running services or taking on additional responsibilities. Consistent with the aims of workforce remodelling, schools should ensure that only the most appropriate people develop and deliver extended services.

Inspection

To monitor the provision of extended services, Ofsted and other organisations have developed a new system of school inspection that covers education, wider childcare provision and extended activities.

Inclusion

Children with disabilities and/or special educational needs must be able to access all extended services.