Minister's praise for city schools

Aug 28 2007 By Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail

CHILDREN'S Minister Beverley Hughes today praised nearly 300 extended schools in Birmingham for providing additional facilities to pupils and the community.

The minister applauded schools in the city as she celebrated that 7,000 schools in England are now offering access to extended services.

She said more than £11 million is being invested in Birmingham over a three year period to 2008 to help schools open their doors for longer, at weekends, in the evening and during holidays.

Birmingham currently has 265 schools offering extended services to pupils.

The minister said: "I'm delighted that through the hard work and commitment of local authorities and schools, we have exceeded our milestone and now have over 7,000 extended schools, just in time for the new term.

"We have also learnt that there are more full day care places, after school club and holiday club places than ever before.

"Extended services are popular with parents and children and can help to put schools at the heart of their communities. They provide excellent opportunities for children to take part in fun activities and boost their confidence.

"Extended schools like Harborne Hill School help families juggle work and home life by giving parents greater flexibility and providing parental support.

"But above all, they give children the chance to take part in fun activities Ð they can practice sports, learn a musical instrument, have drama classes or simply catch up on their homework."

Research shows that extended schools can boost standards and improve pupils' educational attainment, particularly for those children who face difficulties.

Other positive results include better engagement with learning, increased family stability, better relations with local communities for schools and an enhanced standing of the school in the area.

The government wants all schools to offer access to a core set of extended activities by 2010.

Further information about extended schools can be found at www.teachernet.gov.uk/extendedschools