Extended schools

What are extended schools?

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

These could include:

  • Childcare
  • Adult education
  • Study support
  • Leisure and sport activities
  • Parenting skills
  • Citizen’s advice information
  • ICT facilities
  • Health and social care.  

All these activities do not necessarily have to be at the school. In Richmond upon Thames we are developing extended services in and around schools to build on the excellent work that schools and other providers in local communities already do.

Our schools have gathered into 12 extended schools clusters so that, between the schools in the cluster they can offer the full range of services.

Will my child’s school be an extended school?

Yes, by September 2010 all local authority schools will have extended schools status. Ten schools have already achieved this.

What services can I expect from an extended school?

In Richmond upon Thames to achieve extended status the school must offer:

  • Access to childcare – this can either be on site or by signposting parents to childcare facilities or childminders nearby.
  • A varied menu of activities – these can include breakfast clubs, after school clubs, sports, arts or drama activities. This also includes study support. Parents, school staff or an outside provider may run these before and after school clubs on the school site.
  • Parenting support – This will include family learning opportunities, adult education and parenting workshops and courses. This will run within extended schools clusters.
  • Quick and easy referral – This means that schools will be able to access specialist support for your child in a timely fashion if such support is assessed as being needed. This support will also be offered at the school or in the local area rather than you and your child being required to travel for specialist services.
  • Community access – This means that school will enhance their role as hubs for local community activity.