15 June 2004

Catherine Ashton, Minister for Extended and Inclusive Schools, recently 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. “