Extended services
This section of TeacherNet provides advice on setting up extended services
(formerly 'extended schools'). It is aimed at schools and LAs but
it will also be useful for local providers.
Recent reports/guidance
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Extended Services Publicity Toolkit — a guide for schools, LAs and their partners to help them promote their extended services locally, November 2008
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Extended Services Directory — the Direct.gov website now gives details of which schools offer access to the full core offer of extended services
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Extended Schools Leaflet for Parents — providing more services for you and your children, November 2008
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Funding Extended Schools — DCSF guidance for local authorities, schools and their partners on availability and use of extended schools funding, updated October 2009
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Extended schools prospectus — updated November 2008
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Practical know-how — guidance on setting up extended services and links to case studies.
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Extended Services Advertisements — recently published in a range of popular magazines.
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The Accelerated Extended Schools (AES) Resource Kit summarises the activities and the lessons learned by 12 local authorities who received additional funding in 2007-08 to accelerate the extended schools programme in areas experiencing problems with gun, gang and knife crime.
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The Extending Learning Opportunities (ELO) framework for self-evaluation in study support is a tool for quality assurance of the learning opportunities for children and young people outside of normal lesson time delivered as part of schools' extended services. It is a revised and updated version of the Study Support Code of Practice first published in 1998 and revised in 2004. It provides a framework not only for schools and clusters of schools but also for Playing for Success (PfS) centres, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and organisations such as libraries, museums and galleries, theatres and youth and community projects that offer structured learning programmes to young people, to extend and enhance their provision and so to improve their outcomes. A hard copy can be ordered from DCSF Publications, tel: 0845 60 222 60, quoting reference: 00907-2009BKT-EN.
What are Extended Services?
A key way of delivering Every Child Matters outcomes, schools work with the local authority, local providers and each other to provide access to a core offer of extended services:
- a varied menu of activities (including study support, play/recreation, sport, music, arts and crafts and other special interest clubs, volunteering and business and enterprise activities), in a safe place, for primary and secondary schools
- childcare 8:00am — 6:00pm, 48 weeks a year for primary schools
- parenting support including family learning
- swift and easy access to targeted and specialist services such as speech and language therapy
- community access to facilities including adult learning, ICT and sports facilities.
These will often be provided beyond the school day but not necessarily by teachers or on the school site.
What are the benefits?
There is evidence that extended services can help to:
- improve pupil attainment, self-confidence, motivation and attendance;
- reduce exclusion rates;
- better enable teachers to focus on teaching and learning;
- enhance children's and families access to services.
Ofsted will report during school inspections on how extended services are contributing to improved outcomes for children and young people. Find out more about the benefits in the research section. There are currently over 14 000 (around two thirds) providing access to the core offer of extended services.
How do I set up extended services?
Watch and read the transcript of a video showing examples of how schools are providing access to extended services. See also the Guardian Every Child Matters supplements.
Schools will need to work with their local authority (in particular the extended schools adviser), pupils, parents, the local community and local providers. The practical know-how section has more details on how to set up extended services, including a step to step guide. The Extended Schools Prospectus is also a useful starting point. The role of the local authority and extended services is explained in more detail in the local authority section.
What funding is available?
The DCSF has announced over £1 billion in funding for extended services over the period 2008-11. Nationally more than £200 million of the 2008/9-2010/11 funding will go to help the most disadvantaged children and young people access positive activities of their choice, which they would otherwise be prevented from accessing.
Sources of advice
Find out what help is available for local authorities and schools in setting up extended services. Information for parents is available from the Parents Centre website.
Email the DCSF with any queries.
Last updated: 05 February 2010
