Planning and Funding Extended Schools:

DOWNSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL,
ISLE OF WIGHT

Downside Middle School, Newport, is situated in an area of high deprivation, with 30 per cent of families claiming benefits, and 31.5 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals.

Few residents have post-16 educational qualifications. Downside is the first full-service extended school on the Isle of Wight and has an extended school manager, two school-based youth workers and a student social worker on a six-month work placement. Wherever possible, the school links its extended activities with learning: for example, a recent workshop to develop an entry for a carnival parade on the theme ‘Indonesia’ related to curricular work on diversity, sewing, cooking and music.

Downside works closely with two feeder primary schools. Many after-school activities are open to their pupils also, and there has been a positive impact on primary-secondary transition. Downside is also working with a wider cluster of local schools, and was recently part of a successful joint bid for a minibus for use by local schools and the community. The school’s role in influencing investment is another priority: the area has been targeted for government Pathfinder and Neighbourhood Renewal funding.

Close working with the team from Pan Neighbourhood Partnership has maximised the impact of available funding and ensured that there is no duplication of projects. The Partnership has funded the appointment of a youth worker whose responsibilities include coordinating holiday clubs offered through the school. A pupil survey influenced the eleven activities offered at Easter, which included a climbing wall and trampoline, arts and crafts, drama and dance, circus skills, and offsite visits. Downside’s holiday clubs are also open to local primary school pupils.

A recently-launched ‘mini moto’ club for small motorbikes, run by the school site manager, has provided a breakthrough, attracting more than 20 fathers and children in its first fortnight. Fathers and children help create score cards and lap time sheets, which helps raise literacy and confidence levels and build capacity for future learning.

Building on this, Downside is holding a family day in the hope of further increasing parental involvement. The school plans to offer a range of taster workshops, including ‘MOT for your health’, badminton, circus skills, ’dads and lads’ cooking sessions, remote control car racing, and a ‘computers don’t bite’ session.

Other on-going initiatives include an adult literacy programme, a course to help parents of teenagers, and an IT club for the over 50s. Engagement is the challenge with many parents in the area, and Downside’s long term aim is to raise local levels of qualifications and aspirations for learning.