26/1/2005 - Book tokens for school presentation

On Thursday 27th January at 11am, County Councillor, Joan Stocker, Cabinet member for education, will present £250 of book tokens to the pupils of Stramongate School in Kendal. 

In Autumn last year Cumbria Sure Start undertook a major survey of all schools across the county to complete an 'extended schools' survey. This was to find out what kind of services Cumbrian schools already offered to their local communities above and beyond children’s education. All schools completing and returning the survey were entered into a prize draw to win the book tokens.

An Extended School is one that provides a range of services and activities often beyond the school day to help meet the needs of its pupils, their families and wider community. Many Extended Schools have already seen many benefits for offering extended services, including:

Higher levels of pupils self-esteems, motivation and achievement

Greater opportunities for staff for flexible working & career development

Less pressure on school staff, especially those with responsibility for pastoral care

Greater parental involvement in children’s learning

More opportunities for local adult education & family learning

Better access to essential services for children, families and community members

Reduction in vandalism on school property

Reduction of teenage pregnancy rates

Some of the results gathered to date from the survey show that:

15% schools provide some type of health & social care

30% some type of family learning opportunities

22% offer before school childcare

37% offer after school care

25% provide holiday clubs

45% offer study support

County Councillor Joan Stocker is looking forward to presenting the pupils at Stramongate with their book tokens. She said:

"Many schools are already providing some extended services including adult education, health initiatives, positive policing programmes, study support, information technology facilities such as internet access and community sports. We believe the pupils and their families, schools, teaching staff and the wider community could all benefit greatly from the facilities and services schools could offer. This survey has given us more information on what schools in our area already have on offer and which are more likely, with additional work, be able to become an extended school. I would like to thank every school who took part in the survey. I am sure that the pupils at Stramongate will enjoy reading the new books they are able to purchase with these tokens."

Headteacher at the school, Peter Sloan said:

"We’re delighted to have won the prize and the book tokens will be very welcome. Our School Council will consult with the children in the classes and choose what books they are going to buy. More importantly we are very pleased to be able to have the opportunity to spread the message about the opportunities extended schools can offer for our children."

Tricia Bewick, children’s centres and extended schools policy officer at Cumbria Sure Start said:

"There has been a very positive response to the survey from schools in Cumbria. We are looking forward to working closely with schools to help them become extended schools which are able to develop to meet the needs of the local communities they serve for the benefit of the school, children and families."