Extended Schools

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Why do we need extended services in schools?

Schools are at the heart of the community and are ideally placed to offer access to a range of extended services that can improve standards of learning and life chances of children, young people and families.

Extended services in schools provide a range of services and activities; help parents and carers become more involved in the life of their school and support their children's education, and have the potential to raise pupil achievement.

Extended services in schools bring learning opportunities to parents themselves. The chance to gain numeracy and literacy qualifications, study a language or develop ICT skills can all contribute to improving life chances for parents and families.

Finally, the provision of parenting support gives parents access to information and guidance on issues which may affect children, including sexual health, relationships and drug abuse.

Independent research and Ofsted inspections have both shown the positive impact extended services can have, including:

improving pupil attendance, confidence, motivation and attainment
reducing exclusion rates
helping teachers to focus on teaching and learning, and
enhancing children's and families' access to services

All children in Newham now have access to the CORE OFFER OF EXTENDED SERVICES in or through their school. The core offer covers:-

Childcare

Primary Schools provide access to high-quality childcare, 8am-6pm, five days a week, 48 weeks a year. Childcare provision in or through schools supports both working parents and those studying or training to return to work.

Varied menu of activities

Schools provide access to a varied menu of study support and enrichment activities (sports, music, arts, ICT, for example) which provide fun and stimulation for young people, as well as a safe place to be

Swift and easy access

Working closely with other statutory services and the voluntary and community sector, schools ensure that children with additional needs are identified as early as possible, and are well supported through quick and easy referral to specialist services where there is an identified need.

Parenting support

Schools provide access to parenting support, including information sessions for parents of pupils joining reception and on transfer to secondary school; signposting to national and local sources of information, advice and support; access to parenting groups using structured, evidence-based parenting programmes; and family learning sessions to allow children to learn with their parents

Community access

Extended services in schools allow more widespread community access to school facilities. This will help ensure that families have access to an important community resource all year round. Schools ensure they provide community access to appropriate facilities, such as ICT suites, sports and arts facilities, as well as access to adult learning

In Newham

Newham has 93 schools (secondary, primary, infant and special schools). All are now delivering access to the full core offer of extended services.

The Early Childhood Service have been working with school clusters to deliver sustainable services and appoint Family Support Workers who support children, young people and their families to have full access to educational opportunities and overcome barriers to learning.

For more information about the extended services in schools programme in Newham please contact your child's school or get in touch with the Family Information Service via email customer.services@newham.gov.uk or freephone 0800 074 1017.