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MORE SCHOOLS PROVIDING COMMUNITY SERVICES – ASHTON
19 May 2004
Catherine Ashton, Minister for Extended and Inclusive Schools, today set out why she wants every school to become an extended school as she announced funding for 46 schools to provide a full range of children, family and community services.
New research which shows that the provision of community services in schools can improve pupil attainment, behaviour and attendance, support family involvement in children’s learning and boosts community pride and involvement was highlighted by the Minister. The report reveals that:
• a school providing out of school art-based activities saw its GCSE A*- C results rise from 63% to 77% in Art, from 50% to 75%% in Music and from 64% to 81% in Drama;• where out of school activities were provided by an extended school, there were reports of positive impacts on motivation and attainment;• parents involved in adult education projects reported positive effects on their perceptions of themselves as learners and on their consequent ability to act as role models for their children; and • where the local community was involved in planning the extended school, community members reported a growing sense of self-esteem and of control over decisions which affected their lives.
Catherine Ashton said:“Schools are an extremely valuable resource for the whole community. The provision of extended services will help pupils, families and the wider community get the best out of their local school. “We are funding an additional 46 schools to provide childcare, health and social care, study support, lifelong learning and family learning, parenting support, access to ICT, and sports and arts facilities for children, families and the wider community. By 2006, at least one school in every LEA will receive funding to provide these specific services.“I want to encourage every school to provide extended services and we have changed the law to make it easier for them to do this. We are also providing guidance, support and funding for every LEA to help all their schools to develop the services most needed by their community. “Extended services in schools can help improve pupil attainment, behaviour and motivation. They can help provide out of school study support to improve pupils’ learning. Engaging pupils in new cultural and sporting activities has a knock-on impact on motivation. “Joined up services provide children and families with better access to a range of health and social services, when and where they need them. Schools are an obvious point for the delivery of childcare – both before and after school.“Parents become more involved in schools that provide extended services, which helps them support their children’s learning. Schools providing services needed by local people become the focus of the local community and boost community pride and involvement. “Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to 'England'
1. The Children’s green paper, 'Every Child Matters' and its response to the consultation 'Every Child Matters; The Next Steps' sets out the Government’s plans to reform children’s services by making them more accountable and more joined up. It is available at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters. 2. An extended school is one that provides a range of services and activities often beyond the school day to help meet the needs of its pupils, their families and the wider community. Research on extended schools is available at www.teachernet.gov.uk/extendedschools3. Education Minister Catherine Ashton announced on 14 March 2003 funding of £52.2 million over three years to support the development of extended schools. 4. There are 106 schools now receiving funding to provide childcare, health and social care, study support, lifelong learning and family learning, parenting support, access to ICT, and sports and arts facilities.5. Please see attached for a full list. The schools which are announced today are in bold.
[CLICK HERE FOR LIST]
6. The Government wants all schools to have the opportunity to become extended schools. The Education Act 2002 enables schools to directly provide community services such as health and social care and childcare. Prior to this, if school governors wanted to provide childcare they could do so only by setting up a voluntary management committee. 7. All LEAs and schools will get planning support to provide extended services which meet local needs. By April 2005, all LEAs will get funding to help draw up strategic plans and to fund local managers to work with clusters of schools to set up and manage extended services. 8. The extended schools support service, provided by ContinYou, provides advice and guidance to LEAs, schools and others wanting to provide extended services in schools. They can be contacted at extended.schools@continyou.org.uk9. Guidance on extended schools is available at www.teachernet.gov.uk/extendedschools. There is also separate guidance specifically on setting up childcare in schools and an introductory leaflet. Copies of the guidance are also available by calling 0845 60 222 60, quoting EXSG for the extended schools guidance, EXSGL for the leaflet and EXSGCC for the childcare in schools guidance.
Contact Details
Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Press Notice 2004/0110
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