Warwickshire News Mine

Parents are also being invited to the special event on 12 July that will explain the new activities that schools in the town are set to introduce.

Schools in Nuneaton and Bedworth are preparing to become extended schools. That means offering more than traditional lessons during term time.

Under plans being drawn up by the Government schools will become a base for lots of different activities that will benefit children, parents and the community the whole year round.

Schools will work with other bodies – such as Warwickshire County Council, Connexions, Warwickshire Police, and the health service to bring about the changes.

There are five core services that schools must offer, either themselves or in association with other partners and schools in the area.

But the views of children, young people and families are also being sought to help shape services to exactly what residents want.

A day-long event is being held at the Ricoh Arena to give people the chance to find out more. Workshops led by youth workers to let the young people have their say.

Carol Bunyard, Extended Schools Strategy Officer, said: “Extended schools will revolutionise the way that schools are seen in the community and services are accessed. They will become hubs of activity the year round, with many different agencies and organisations using them as a base to deliver local services. Underpinning all these plans is the phrase ‘Every Child Matters’ and that’s what this event is all about. We want people in Nuneaton and Bedworth to feel part of this process and are looking forward to hearing their views.”

One school involved in developing extended schools is Camp Hill Primary School. Headteacher Pam Harbot said: “Extended provision is about fulfilling the needs of the local community and enhancing life chances for children and their families.

“At Camp Hill we offer a wide range of opportunities for parents and children: sport, arts, crafts, bounce and rhyme, a baby clinic, breast feeding café and adult learning courses. We are really keen to provide for the community and the ball is now in their court – if there are things that people want that we are not offering then we want to hear from people and this event is a chance for people to say what they want.”

The conference takes place from 9.30am to 4pm on 12 July 2006. To book a free place, call Juliet Jenkins on 01926 409124 or email juliet@noelquinn.co.uk.
Ends

Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend the event on 12 July at the Ricoh Arena at 2.30pm, at which point the young people will be involved in workshops. More information, or details of other schools from the area involved in developing Extended Schools, from Antony Hopker in the Warwickshire County Council press office on 01926 418606.

Note to editor
The five core services that every school must offer by 2010 are:
· high-quality childcare provided on the school site or through clusters or other local providers, with supervised transfer arrangements where appropriate, available 8am – 6pm all year round
· a varied programme of activities to be on offer, such as homework clubs and study support, sport (at least two hours a week beyond the school day for those who want it), music tuition, dance and drama, arts and crafts, special interest clubs such as chess and first aid courses, visits to museums and galleries, learning a foreign language, volunteering, business and enterprise activities
· parenting support including information sessions for parents at key transition points, parenting programmes run with the support of other children’s services and family learning sessions to allow children to learn with their parents
· swift and easy referral to a wide range of specialist support services such as speech therapy, child and adolescent mental health services, family support services, intensive behaviour support, and (for young people) sexual health services. Some may be delivered on school sites, and
· providing wider community access to ICT, sports and arts facilities, including adult learning.

Link to WCC