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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 its pupils, their families and the wider community.  In Portsmouth extended services are offered or signposted by every single school through the Community Improvement Partnerships

Schools located at the heart of the community are well placed to take up the challenge of making Every Child Matters a reality for children, young people and communities.

In June 2005, the Extended School Prospectus set out a core offer of services that all children should be able to access through schools by 2010.

The core offer includes access to:-

• A varied menu of study support activities such as homework clubs, sporting activities, links to activities in the community etc.
  
• High-quality childcare provided on the school site or through local providers, with supervised transfer arrangements where appropriate, available 8am-6pm all year round for primary schools.
  
• Parenting support, including information sessions for parents at key transition points, parenting programmes run with the support of other children's services, and family learning sessions to allow children to learn with their parents.
  
• Swift and easy referral to a wide range of specialist support services such as speech therapy, child and adolescent mental health services, family support services, intensive behaviour support and sexual health services.
  
• Community use of school facilities including ICT, sports/arts facilities and adult learning for the wider community
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• Schools will need to work closely with governors, parents, children and others to shape these activities around the needs of their community and may choose to provide extra services in response to demand.

Progress in delivering extended services

Over 3,000 schools (one in eight) are now providing access to extended services.  This exceeds the Government's September 2006 target of 2,500 schools.  This is a testament to the willingness and commitment of local authorities and schools, working in partnership with the voluntary, community and private sectors, to develop extended services.  In Portsmouth all schools are signed up to either providing or signposting extended services.

Community Improvement Partnerships (CIPs)

Community Improvement Partnerships

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