Welcome to SchoolsPlus Extended Schools' Consortium

What is an extended school?

Extended schools provide access to a range of services and activities, often beyond the school day, to help meet the needs of children, families and the wider community.

Schools are not expected to deliver these services and activities on their own but to work with other schools and with external partners and providers – for example, the health service, the local college, private and voluntary organisations.

What services and activities should be offered and when?

The Government has set out a ‘core offer’ of extended services that it wants all children and their families to be able to access through schools by 2010

CHILDCARE – For primary schools this is affordable childcare before and after the school day and during the holidays In secondary schools this is a safe place to be both before and after schools and during the holidays.

VARIED MENU OF ACTIVITIES for young people – ranging from homework clubs and study support to sport, music and special interest clubs

SPECIALIST SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE – swift and easy referral to services such as speech therapy, family support and counselling

SUPPORT FOR PARENTS – including parenting programmes and family learning sessions

Many schools are already providing some of these opportunities and have been doing so for some time.  But now all schools are being encouraged to offer an even wider range over the next four years.

Where are the SchoolsPlus consortium schools located?

The SchoolsPlus Consortium covers the West side of Watford.

To view the Consortium Schools please see Our Consortium page.

More Information

To find out more from Government and County on Extended Schools please see our links page.