What are Extended Services in Schools?
Extended schools are schools that provide a range of services and activities often beyond the school day to help meet the needs of their pupils, families and the wider community. By 2010, all schools are to offer access to the core offer of extended schools. Within Gateshead, extended services are being developed in "clusters" made up of a group of primary schools and one secondary school. The clusters are named after the secondary school in that cluster. Special schools are also included in their geographical cluster.
Extended schools will work with parents, pupils and local services to provide activities according to the needs of their community.
“An extended school … 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).
“By 2010, all children should have access to a variety of activities beyond the school day. Well-organised, safe and stimulating activities before and after school provide children and young people with a wider range of experiences and make a real difference to their chances at school. It gives them the opportunity to keep fit and healthy, to acquire new skills, to build on what they learn during the school day or simply to have fun and relax
(DfES, Extended Schools prospectus 2005).
Extended Services: extra support for you and your children
To read more on the extra support for you and your children that Extended Services can provide for you, click on the link below: