Representatives from 45 schools attended the seminar, organised by the council’s Study Support Team and held in Eastbourne last week, which specifically looked at the issues around providing study support programmes for pupils out of school hours.
Study support is one of the core services that the Government wants schools to be offering to all children and families by 2010 under the extended school scheme. It is defined as learning activity outside of lessons which young people take part in voluntarily which will vary from school to school, but may include after school or lunchtime learning clubs for example in music, language learning, or perhaps drama and dance.
Under the extended schools programme, schools will be expected to provide a range of services and activities for pupils, families and the wider community. These include breakfast and after school clubs, childcare, a variety of special interest activities and clubs, parenting support sessions, access to a wide range of specialised support services, and use of facilities for community activities.
The number of schools in East Sussex already offering breakfast and after school clubs and other extended school services is exceeding targets. By the start of the school year the County Council had aimed to have 55 extended school services across the county. The total number of such schemes in place was actually 58. And work is well under way on a further 12 schemes which will be in place by spring next year.
The purpose of the free seminar was to help schools plan and develop their study support programmes and to share ideas and good practice. As well as some key note speakers who have had direct experience of introducing study support programmes elsewhere, the event also heard from Nancy Cleary from the Big Lottery Fund who spoke about funding opportunities for schools.
Councillor Rupert Simmons, the County Council’s Lead Member for Learning and School Effectiveness said: “I am delighted so many schools took up the opportunity to attend this free seminar. The extended schools programme, and especially the study support aspect of it, are extremely exciting. But there’s no doubt that this kind of change represents some very real challenges, especially for schools. By sharing information, knowledge, ideas, and examples of best practice we hope we can all benefit.”
Reference:
1715
Contact the press team
