Many schools in the area are planning actively to become “extended” schools.  With the support of other children’s services and local providers, they aim to provide a range of services and activities often beyond the school day, to help meet the needs of children, their families and the wider community.

The government’s expectation is that by 2010 the following services should be accessible at or through extended schools in all local areas:

Access to high quality “wraparound” childcare through pre- school breakfast clubs and after school and holiday care clubs available 8am — 6pm all year round.

A range of activities including homework clubs and out of school hours learning, sport, music, arts and crafts and special interest clubs accessible at or through extended schools 8am to 6pm all year round.

• Parenting support, parenting programmes and family learning sessions, where children learn with their parents.
• Swift and easy referral to a wide range of specialist support services, which may be delivered on school sites.
• Wider community access to ICT, sports and arts facilities including adult learning.

All schools in Bournemouth now provide access to out of hours learning opportunities - before school “breakfast clubs,” at lunchtime and after school, offering a wide range of activities, some of which are provided by local community groups.

“The best extended schools do not simply deliver broader services; they help to build communities capable of providing for themselves.”