Schools encouraged to be centres of communities

Today, the County Council’s Cabinet agreed to develop a strategy and support schools in delivering the Extended Schools Initiative throughout Cumbria. 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. 

A wide range of organisations who already provide services to communities including Schools, Education, Health, Police, Social Services, Adult & Family Education, Housing Associations have already come together to discuss the concept of Extended Schools and are all interested in finding out how Extended Schools can benefit the local 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 Ø 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. There has already been a lot of interest from many partners in looking at the concept of extended schools. 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. This is an exciting initiative which builds well on current practice.”