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New Extended Schools Consortium launched in St Albans South!
As part of the Government Initiative, Every Child Matters, the County of Hertfordshire has been been divided into 38 consortia of groups or 'clusters' of schools. The latest consortia to be set up is in this area, St Albans South, and includes the 3 village Schools and Nurseries in London Colney as well as 6 other Schools in Bricket Wood, Park Street and Chiswell Green. These nine schools form the consortium which is managed and run by the Head Teachers and Governors of the Schools involved. There is also an ESCO (Extended Schools Consortium Coordinator) employed to help the Schools achieve the Extended Schools Core Offer.
The Core Offer is five targets that have been set for all Schools to achieve by 2010 and the schools in London Colney are already a long way towards meeting the criteria.
These are:
-Good quality childcare from 8am to 6pm all year round. This does not necessarily have to be on the school site, but all children should have access to a safe place to be if there is an identified need.
-We are going to be offering free Family Learning courses and Parental Support in and out of schools hours.
-A wide and varied menu of activities for children, encouraging new clubs and new skills to be learnt.
-Opening up schools for community use and encouraging local groups to use their facilities.
-Swift and Easy referral helping parents and children to have easier methods of seeking and asking for help when they most need it.
The latest report reads:
'Extended schools lead to better exam results and children being more focused in school, particularly for disadvantaged children', a new Government report issued today shows.
This adds to the Department for Education analysis which found progress in extended schools was around double the rate of the national average between 2005 and 2006. Positive effects were also felt in relation to the local community. For instance, there were many examples of unemployed adults beginning to see themselves as learners, acquiring qualifications, and finding work.
The schools studied were also found to have a range of other positive impacts on outcomes for pupils, including engagement with learning, family stability and enhanced life chances.
There is a questionnaire available on the website and you can leave any comments or suggestions for the ESCO. Please contact her with any queries or questions you may have.
Nikki Howes is your local ESCO for St Albans South and is contactable by email: nhowes@mountpleasant.herts.sch.uk, on her mobile: 07912 792215 or through the website: www.hertsextendedschools.org.uk/stalbanssouth
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