Big Lottery Fund Support for Extended Schools

The Isle of Wight Council has become one of the first authorities in the country to secure Big Lottery Fund support for Extended Schools. The council’s new Children’s Services Directorate has successfully bid for £113,000 for the development of Extended School activities and facilities for fourteen schools across the Island.

Extended Schools are secondary or primary schools that also act as a base for other services for young people outside of normal school activities. Both locally and nationally the Extended Schools initiative places schools at the heart of their community.

The Island’s project will energise community interaction with schools and enable young people to develop a strong experience of learning and growing as part of their community. The fund aims to give schools the opportunity to develop projects designed by young people themselves, supported by community partnerships.

In all of the Island schools, young people have been extensively consulted about the project and what they want their school to do. Examples of activity include a 'drop-in' base where health professionals, social workers and police provide guidance and support for the local community; childcare, activity clubs and a 'grow, cook and eat' project to develop life and money management skills and a healthy diet. The projects will be live in the schools commissioned by the Authority from September 2005.
The methods used by the council in presenting their bid have been extensively praised by the Big Lottery Fund and used as an example of good practice for other Local Authorities. Earlier in the year the Island was the first authority in the country to receive funding to support the preparation of the now successful main bid.

Dr Marguerite Howick, who leads the council’s Extended Schools team, said: “in this area we are working at the cutting edge of developing children's services and it is exciting for the young people and their communities that this is recognised nationally”.

Keith Simmonds, Principal Inspector for Isle of Wight Council, said: “the success of this bid and the Authority’s project team is an example of a very effective partnership between many services of the Council, including schools; other agencies such as health and voluntary groups as with the Children’s Fund. This is children’s service provision for young people at its very best”.

Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Patrick Joyce, congratulated the team and partner agencies on the success of the bid. He said: “it is pleasing to note the national recognition of good practice on the Island and I look forward to seeing these projects support the raising of standards and opportunities for young people within our schools and communities”.

For further information contact Keith Simmonds – Principal Inspector on 01983 823423 keith.simmonds@iow.gov.uk

Information in respect of the schools to be commissioned in September for this project may be obtained from Dr. Marguerite Howick on 01983 529790
marguerite.howick@iow.gov.uk or by contacting Keith Simmonds as above.