Extended Schools and Inclusive Learning
Extended schools are a key vehicle for delivering the Government's objective of lifting children out of poverty and improving outcomes for them and their families.
There is now clear evidence that children’s experiences greatly influence their outcomes and life chances in later life.
In particular, educational attainment is a powerful route out of poverty and disadvantage. A key priority for Sandwell, and a challenge for schools is to reach the most disadvantaged families within a universal framework of providing mainstream services for all families.
Universal services are key partners in the delivery of a preventive approach to improving outcomes for children and young people. Some of these key partners are; GPs, Health Visitors, School Nurses and Midwives, partners in education and childcare, primary and secondary education.
The government’s vision of 21st century school will help create a school system that provides a great start in life for every child in every school. A system that responds to the challenges of a changing global economy, a changing society, rapid technological innovation and a changing planet.
A system in which every child can enjoy growing up and which develops the potential and talents of every child and young person and gives them the broad skills they need for the future. And a system which breaks the link between deprivation, disadvantage, disability and low educational attainment and so impacts upon intergenerational poverty.
The publication Extended Schools: Building on Experience sets out a core offer of services that all children should be able to access through schools by 2010.
Sandwell schools are working in partnerships called Core Offer Partnerships (CoOPs), to provide access to a range of services within Sandwell’s local community.
CoOPS are made up of schools, children centres and city learning centres working together with health services, lifelong learning providers, childcare services. Linking up with Sure Start Children’s Centres they offer improved life opportunities for children, young people and families of Sandwell.
Schools do not have to deliver all activities themselves nor provide them on site. Instead, they can signpost parents to existing services. Schools will need to assess existing provision and consult parents and carers, pupils, staff and the local community about their needs before deciding which approach to take and which services to offer. Local authorities are likely to be a good source of information.
Community Cohesion is pivotal to the role of extended services. CoOPS in Sandwell are using a variety of activities to promote community cohesion by holding faith days, joint summer and Christmas fair events, learning walks, joint governor forums and Saturday morning clubs, amongst many other activities.
The core offer includes: