Education and learning

What are they?

Extended Schools offer a range of services and activities, often outside normal school hours, to help meet the needs of children, their families and the wider community. Schools are working together locally to offer a range of services and include primary, secondary and special schools.

What will they provide access to?

•  Wraparound childcare: This is childcare from 8am to 6pm, 'wrapped around' the school day and through most of the holidays, allowing parents to work or study. This may be provided by the school or by a private or voluntary group. It may be based in the schools themselves or at another setting in the community. Arrangements for the safe transport of children will be in place. 
•  A varied menu of activities: Schools will provide a selection of activities for children such as homework clubs, sports, music tuition, dance and drama, special interest clubs (eg chess), visits to museums and galleries, learning a foreign language, volunteering, and business and enterprise activities. Activities will depend on demand and what parents, children and young people have said they would like.
•  Parenting support: Schools will hold information sessions for parents when their children start school in reception and when they start high school. Although parenting programmes may be held only at some schools, all schools will be able to tell parents where they are being held. Family learning sessions will be offered by schools, often in partnership with the CALAT Family Learning Team and Croydon’s Informal Family Learning Manager.
•  Access to specialist services: Schools will work closely with Health Services, Behaviour Support Services and other specialist agencies to make sure that children and young people with particular needs are identified and supported. Schools will also know about agencies that can support parents who may be in need.
•  Community access to their facilities: Where possible, schools will provide access for the community, including youth groups, to their facilities. This may include ICT suites, sports and arts facilities, and opportunities for adult learning.

Who will they serve?

Each school will primarily offer these services to the children that attend the school and their families. Some local groups of schools and Children's Centres have joined together to offer some services. For example, one school in a group may have an after school club which is open to children from other local schools. Schools may also join together to offer family learning, parent information sessions or adult learning. Services for the community will be open to everyone. Schools will want to work closely with parents to make sure these activities meet the needs of their local communities.

Are there any in Croydon now?

There are two schools, The Archbishop Lanfranc School and Fairchildes Primary School, where a very wide range of extended services have been developed. The Government wants all schools to be offering extended services by 2010 and the council is working with schools to help them develop services. Many schools in Croydon already offer extended services.

Schools are working together in local groups to develop and expand services. At least 75 schools in Croydon will be offering extended services by December 2008. To see a list of these schools, please follow the link. (see current list of schools)

How many more will there be in Croydon and when?

The Government's commitment is that all schools will offer access to childcare from 8am to 6pm all year round and offer access to a range of extended services by 2010.
The council will continue to support schools to make sure services are available to meet the needs of children, young people and their families in their local area.

Parents' views

Schools will need to know parents' views along with hearing from children and young people. Schools will be asking parents for their views at school events such as parents' evenings and open evenings. They may also send home a questionnaire for parents to fill in. In addition, children and young people will be consulted about what they would like to see at their school or in their local area.

If you require information regarding childcare or early education, please contact the Children's Information Service.

Contact Details

Contact name

Debby MacCormack

Job title

Extended Schools Development Manager

Department

Children, Young People and Learners

Telephone

020 8726 6000 Ext 62638

Fax

020 8407 1353

Email

debby.maccormack@croydon.gov.uk

Address

2nd Floor, North Side
Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon
CR9 1TP

Contact name

Croydon Children's Information Service

Telephone

0845 11 11 100

Email

child.care@croydon.gov.uk

Address

10 Katharine Street
Croydon
CR9 1JU

Website

www.croydonchildcare.com/