Maidenhead & Windsor

Extended schools services in the Maidenhead Royal Borough will be officially launched this week at a special education conference.

Eight Maidenhead schools are spearheading an innovative scheme to extend the variety of services they offer, including Dedworth First and Middle schools and Alexander, Braywood, Hilltop and Homer First Schools in Windsor which offer:

* a breakfast club
* family learning sessions
* participation in the Windsor School Sport partnership (SSCo)

and in Maidenhead, with Ellington Primary, which offers adult education and community outreach services through their "Equal Access for All" initiative, and Desborough Secondary school's varied programme of after-school activities and community learning through their language college.

Headteachers and chairs of governors from across the Maidenhead Royal Borough will join council staff and partners from the voluntary and statutory sectors at Dorney Lake on Thursday January 26.

After being welcomed by Maidenhead Cllr Mary-Rose Gliksten, leader of the council, delegates will hear David Lunn, chief executive, outline some of the key priorities and challenges for extended services in the Royal Borough.

The talks will be followed by workshops covering topics such as consulting with the community, forging partnerships, making schools inclusive and the school inspection agenda. Discussion groups will then help schools answer questions about developing their own extended services and help them determine the next steps.

Cynthia Pitteway, lead member for Maidenhead education, said: "We are very pleased with the innovative work being carried out to extend the services schools offer to children and hope that the conference will encourage more Royal Borough schools to follow suit."

Extended Schools provide a range of services and activities, often beyond the school day, to help meet the needs of Maidenhead children, their families and the wider community. These services may include childcare, adult education, parenting support programmes, community-based health and social care services, multi-agency behaviour support teams and after-school activities. By 2010 it is anticipated that all schools will offer at least the following core services:

* High quality wraparound childcare (available 8am-6pm all year round) including breakfast and after-school clubs
* A varied menu of extra-curricular activities including clubs and special interest groups
* Support for parents including courses, mentoring and advice
* Swift and easy access to specialist support services such as speech therapy, mental health services, family support services and intensive behaviour support
* Providing wider community access and adult learning including opening up school facilities such as ICT, sports and arts facilities.

The Extended Schools programme is part of the Every Child Matters agenda, which aims to ensure that all children have the best possible start in life and achieve the five outcomes to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well-being. More information is available from the Maidenhead Extended Schools Team on 01628 796584. For more information on Every Child Matters go to www.everychildmatters.gov.uk

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead