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Extended Schools
What goes on in classrooms during official school hours is just a part of the learning opportunities on offer to pupils.
There has been an intensified focus on out-of-hours learning in recent years.
The Government's Extended Schools or Services programme is encouraging schools to provide wider services for pupils, families and the community.
The creativity encouraged through out-of-school-hours activities is an opportunity for hugely expanded informal learning as well as enjoyment.
A recent evaluation found that Out-of-school-hours learning had many benefits for teachers and children:
- helped pupils make the transition from primary to secondary school
- motivated disaffected youths to become mentors
- brought professional role models into the school environment through adult mentoring schemes
- allowed parents and carers to become more involved in their children's education
- provided community volunteers the opportunity to gain accredited skills
- allowed children to re-engage with learning, seeing it as fun
- gave teachers the opportunity to develop innovative teaching skills.
How Can Museums Get Involved?
- The same type of activities, which you are developing for a formal schools audience, can be adapted for informal out-of school-hours learning.
- Contact your local schools to discuss how your museum might be involved.
- Find out what after school care your local council offers.
Downloads
MLA South East Extended Schools- opportunities for Museums to contribute (PowerPoint 930 Kb. Shannon Moore, Senior Adviser, Oxfordshire County Council).
SLIME case study Museum of Reading (Word DOC, 130Kb). The Bug Club Project developed in conjunction with Bracknell Extended Services Team.
Useful Websites
All the links below will open in a new window. Close that new window to return here.
Every Child Matters wesbite for the publication Extended Schools: building on experience.
Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto Group for Education in Museums website.
Continyou is a charity that supports out-of-school-hours learning.
TeacherNet has up to date guidance on the Extended School Programme.
Directgov to find Local Councils throughout the UK. A register is held by local councils on all services in a local area, which provide before and after school care.