Extended schools

The extended schools programme is an important agenda for the children, young people and families voluntary and community sector (VCS). With the Government proposing that all schools offer extended services by 2010, there is a tremendous opportunity for the VCS to make a substantial contribution.

In 2005 the DfES (now the Department for Children, Schools and Families) published its extended schools prospectus, ‘Extended Schools: Access to opportunities and services for all’, which outlined the core extended services to be made available by 2010 are. These are:

1. high quality, affordable childcare 8am-6pm all year round
2. a varied menu of activities
3. parenting support
4. swift and easy access to specialist support services
5. wider community access to school facilities.

The prospectus strongly encouraged schools and local authorities to form partnerships with the VCS to provide services. However, there is at present uncertainty on all sides about how best to achieve this and secure the full engagement of the sector.

Our work

VCS Engage is developing a number of initiatives designed to strengthen the capacity of the VCS to participate in the extended schools programme.

Towards the end of February 2007, VCS Engage commissioned an overview exercise to identify the issues surrounding VCS participation. Click here to download the full report.

The programme has also produced the extended schools guide, which offers practical advice to VCS organisations on how they can work with schools and local authorities to deliver extended schools services.

An extended schools seminar which explored with influential bodies responsible for leadership, training, inspection and school design, issues related to VCS involvement in the delivery of extended school services, took place in October 2007. This is to be followed up by a series of VCS focused conferences that will provide a platform for dialogue with key shapers of the extended schools agenda and will:

• Explore the barriers to VCS participation in the extended schools programme
• Consider best-practice examples of VCS organisations already working in the field
• Offer practical advice on how to engage with schools and local authorities to deliver extended schools services
• Provide opportunities to network with those taking forward extended schools in your area

These conferences are taking place in February 2008 in London, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester. Visit our training and events page to find out more or to book your place online.

Resources

There are a number of resources already available for VCS organisations on the extended schools programme. Click here to access our comprehensive signposting page.

 

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