main content Extended services in and around schools

Schools are at the heart of our communities and many schools do much more than just educate our children between 9.00 and 3.30. As well as supporting children's learning through homework clubs and study support, many schools provide safe and stimulating care for children through breakfast clubs and after school clubs. Similarly, a growing number of schools provide facilities and resources for the wider community by supporting adult education or hosting leisure and sports clubs.

Details

The London Borough of Bromley wishes to support every school in developing extended services, including affordable breakfast and after- school clubs. An Extended Schools Strategy is being developed to help schools, families and other stakeholders create a needs-led approach to the provision. 

The Priory School is Bromley’s first ‘Full Service Extended School’. These are schools that are provided with support from the Department for Education and Skills to develop a wide range of services for pupils, families and the community, including family learning, access to health services and sports and arts activities.

The Government has set targets for Extended Schools/Extended Services:

• By 2010 all parents of primary aged children will be able to access affordable childcare at or through their school from 8am to 6pm, all year round.  This will be available in at least half of all primary schools by 2008.
• By 2010 all secondary schools will be open from 8am to 6pm all year round, offering a range of activities for young people, such as music, sport and holiday activities.  At least a third of secondary schools should be making this offer available by 2008.

In Bromley, each extended school will offer the following services and activities:

• high quality childcare, with supervised transfer where appropriate, between 8am and 6pm all year round;
• a variety of education, sport and arts activities beyond school hours, including homework clubs, music tuition, dance and drama, special interest clubs, foreign languages, business and enterprise activities etc;
• parenting support and family learning sessions;
• quick and easy referral to a wide range of specialist support services, such as speech therapy, mental health services, family support, behaviour support and sexual health services;
• community access to computing, sports and arts facilities including adult learning.

Ongoing consultation with children, young people and their families in Bromley will begin in 2006 to ensure the services being provided are meeting the needs of each community. 

Next Step

• For further information about extended services in schools, contact the programme managers (see below).
• For further information about extended schools childcare, contact the Extended Schools and Children's Centres Childcare Co-ordinator.

• Programme Manager - Extended Services in Schools - 020 8313 4042
• Children's Centres and Extended Schools Programme Manager - 020 8461 7723
• Extended Schools and Children’s Centres Childcare Co-ordinator - 020 8313 4757

Fax:  020 8313 4145
e-mail:  early.years@bromley.gov.uk

Address:
Early Years and Childcare, Commissioning and Children's Education Services, London Borough of Bromley, Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH