Sure Start Unit to take on extended schools programme

The Sure Start Unit has been given responsibility for the
government’s extended schools programme.

The unit, headed by Naomi Eisenstadt, is already responsible for
children’s centres and out of school care as well as provision for
pre-school children. Together with the schools directorate at the
Department for Education and Skills the unit  will now also be
taking forward government plans to base a range of community
services on school sites.

Another 46 full service extended schools have been by the
government, bringing the total of directly funded extended schools
to 102.

The money will mean the schools can offer childcare, health and
social care, study support, lifelong learning and family learning,
parent support, computer and internet access for parents and sports
and arts facilities.

Funding of £52 million over three years has been earmarked
for extended schools development. The government wants all to
schools to have the opportunity to become extended schools, and
next year local education authorities will receive funds to work
with clusters of schools to run extended services.

A list of designated extended schools can be found at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/pnattach/20040110/1.htm