Extended schools face challenge of engaging with vulnerable people

Full-service extended schools are benefiting children and families but face a challenge to engage with the most vulnerable people, according to a report published today.

The report, for the Department for Education and Skills, said evidence so far on full-service extended schools suggested there was “every reason to persevere” with the scheme.

But it said it was not clear that benefits of the programme were “sufficiently widespread to transform whole communities”, and said some schools were experiencing problems in engaging with key partners.

Full-service extended schools offer a range of services on a single site, including access to health and social care, childcare and adult learning.

The government also said today that it had exceeded its target of setting up more than 2,500 extended schools.

Children’s minister Beverley Hughes said the report “endorses our approach as the right one”.