In order to be an integral part of all communities, it is crucial that every school can provide additional opportunities to pupils, parents and local people to help them meet the needs of modern day living.
By 2010 all schools will provide access to a range of activities and services outside of their usual curriculum, to do just that. This initiative is know as "Extended Services" The services to be provided are based around the following 5 provisions:
1. High Quality Wrap Around Childcare - Available all year round fro 8am to 6pm, which is provided either on the school premises, or through other local providers with supervised child transfer arrangements. A lifeline to many working parents!
2. Provide a varied menu of activities - This can either be delivered inhouse by Teaching Staff or external providers e.g. Dance, Drama, Sports clubs, Choir, Cheerleading, Cookery Classes, Music Tuition, Art Classes. We are always keen to enhance our provision and open to suggestions from our communities.
3. Parenting Support and Family Learning - It is a great ambition of ours to engage as many of our parents and community members in areas of learning with their children, which are both of keen interest to them and relevant. In many areas this can be a great framework to build lasting relationships.
4. Provide Swift And Easy Access - To the extensive range of specialist support services which are available to families, which is fundamental in ensuring assistance is received when most needed. Services exist which parents and the community may not be aware of, was it not for the involvement of the school.
5. Community access and ICT - Fantastic opportunities exist for all to access the specialist ICT and sports facilities available within schools, without being tied to the historical school timetable.
Within The Cardinal Hume Catholic School Cluster, we are fully committed to providing first class provisions in each of the above areas.