Family support in extended schools
An extended school works with local organisations, including other schools, to provide access to a range of extra services to children, young people and the local community.
What services do they provide?
Wraparound childcare
This is available through primary schools from 8am-6pm, over 48 weeks of the year, including the school holidays. Childcare could be at school or at another local provider. If it's not on the school site, the school will arrange supervised travel for younger children during term-time. Childcare will be available through all primary schools by September 2010.
A varied range of activities
Many schools already provide after school activities such as homework clubs – extended schools are expanding on these services to provide activities such as study support, music, art, drama and sports clubs. All East Sussex secondary schools offer these activities. About half of East Sussex primary schools and most special schools provide a variety of activities.
Parenting and family support
This could include advice at key stages in your child’s schooling, courses in parenting skills, behaviour management, and helping your child to learn.
Access to specialist services
Schools are developing closer links with specialist services such as speech therapy, family support and children’s mental health.
Community use of facilities
The local community will have wider access to school facilities, for example in sports, the arts and in adult education.
What are the benefits of extended schools?
Extended schools work with parents, pupils and local services to provide activities according to the needs of their community. The benefits should be wide-ranging and include:
- better attitudes for pupils, with improved self-confidence and relationships with others
- more choice, flexibility, and convenience for parents, with easier access to the support they need
- simpler and quicker access to health and social services for children means that problems affecting their learning can be more easily dealt with
- better test results for pupils
- more facilities, resources and equipment available to the local community.
Find out what impact the first extended schools are having around the country on the Every Child Matters website
Where is my nearest extended school?
Many schools across East Sussex offer extended services, within the school or through local partner organisations.
Future plans
Over half of East Sussex schools are already providing access to extended services, but the Government wants all schools to do this, so that all children and young people, and their families, can benefit wherever they live. By September 2010, all children should have access to a variety of extended services in or through their school.
Contact us
For more information, contact the Early Years, Childcare and Extended Schools Service.
