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Schools encouraged to be centres of communities (2)

Cumbria Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership is currently holding a series of seminars across the County to promote the concept of 'Extended Schools'. The seminars are bringing together a wide range of organisations providing services to communities including Schools, Education, Health, Police, Social Services, Adult & Family Education, Housing Associations and many more. All are interested in finding out how 'Extended Schools can benefit the local community. 

An Extended School is one that provides a range of services and activities often beyond the school day to help meet the needs of its pupils, their families and wider community. 

Many Extended Schools have already seen many benefits for offering extended services, including 

  • Higher levels of pupils self-esteems, motivation and achievement 
  • Greater opportunities for staff for flexible working & career development 
  • Less pressure on school staff, especially those with responsibility for pastoral care 
  • Greater parental involvement in children's learning 
  • More opportunities for local adult education & family learning 
  • Better access to essential services for children, families and community members 
  • Reduction in vandalism on school property &
  • Reduction of teenage pregnancy rates    

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education says 

"I am delighted that the Extended Schools programme is to be introduced in Cumbria. The DfES have already given its commitment to create extended schools across the Country, particularly in deprived areas, and support local delivery of extended services in many other schools. Education is fundamental to securing social development and working in partnership with schools, government agencies and other interested parties is important to make sure everyone can improve their education and skills and have equal opportunities to do so. The seminars have raised a lot of interest in looking at the concept of extended schools and we will be interested to see what proposals people start to develop." 

Nicola Jackson, Acting Early Years and Childcare Development Officer for Cumbria Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership says, 

"Across the country many schools are already providing some extended services including adult education, health initiatives, positive policing programmes, study support, information technology facilities such as internet access and community sports. We believe the pupils and their families, schools, teaching staff and the wider community could all benefit greatly from the facilities and services schools could offer. Seminars have already taken place in Penrith, Windermere, Whitehaven and Barrow. These have been very well attended by all sections of the community, including the health sector, police, local councils and businesses. We are expecting interest to be high for the two remaining seminars." 

The two final seminars will be at: 
CARLISLE, St Aidan's School, Carlisle - 29 January 2003 - 4pm - 6pm 
ALLERDALE, Cockermouth School, Cockermouth - 30 January 2003 - 4pm - 6pm 

To book a place at one of the Extended Schools Seminars, contact Paula Gilmour at Cumbria Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership on 01228 601163. If you would like more information on Extended Schools contact Nicola Jackson on 01228 606932