main content Putting schools at the heart of our communities

Primary and secondary head teachers are getting together to discuss how their schools can be used as part of an initiative to put them at the heart of our communities.

The Council has asked heads to come up with proposals to set up Extended Schools for everyone living and studying in the borough.

In Extended Schools the buildings and facilities are used to provide a range of services - including childcare, education, sports, the arts, health and social care and community uses - before and after the normal school day, at weekends and during holidays.

Schools are not expected to run all of these services themselves and will work in partnership with other agencies.

Recognising that one size does not fit all, schools are getting together in neighbourhood groups to decide their own local priorities. These will initially be assessed against the Council’s priorities and the five themes of the Every Child Matters agenda: being healthy; staying safe; enjoying and achieving; making a positive contribution; and achieving economic well-being.

Executive Councillor for Children and Young People Councillor Graham Arthur said: “It is an exciting time to be working in the area of children’s services. We are putting in place measures to ensure all young people are given the very best start in life and have the opportunities to make the most of their potential as they prepare for adulthood.”

The Priory School, in Orpington, became Bromley’s first full Extended School in January. More will be set up in the coming year and it is hoped that all areas will be covered by 2008.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• The Council is inviting one submission from each of the nine area-based groups to be received before 16 September.
•  The Executive Councillor for Children and Young People will consider the proposals on 11 October. 
•  Every Child Matters is a national development for children’s services arising from the Children Act 2004 in response to the tragic death of Victoria Climbie.
• It requires local authorities to work closer with other agencies, such as the police, the NHS and the voluntary sector, as well as young people themselves and their families and set up a single directorate of children’s services.
• The legislation identifies five themes, or “outcomes”, as a focus: being healthy; staying safe; enjoying and achieving; making a positive contribution; and achieving economic well-being.