Extended Schools Programme 2011-12 - Department of Education, Northern Ireland

Extended Schools Programme 2011/12

The Extended Schools (ES) programme has a clear focus on improving educational outcomes, reducing barriers to learning and providing additional support to help improve the life chances of children and young people, particularly from deprived areas.

Launched in May 2006, £50 million of funding has been provided through the Extended Schools programme over the last 5 years allowing those schools serving areas of the highest social disadvantage to provide for a wide range of services or activities outside of the traditional school day to help meet the needs of pupils, their families and the wider community.

The Extended Schools programme aims to support learning and healthy lifestyles, raising school standards while engaging schools with their local community and connecting people with local services. The diverse menu of activities on offer includes breakfast or homework clubs, sport, art, drama, ICT and many other innovative programmes including those aimed at encouraging parental, family and community engagement.

A further £10m of Extended Schools funding has been made available to over 450 eligible schools in the 2011/12 financial year.

More information on Extended Schools including the qualifying criteria used to determine eligibility for the 2011/12 programme and a list of those schools receiving ES funding this financial year can be accessed via the links below:

To find out more about how Extended Schools can help you, you can also access the www.nidirect.gov.uk website under “Extended Schools”. To find out what services are provided by schools in your local area you can check with the schools themselves or your local Education and Library Board.

For further information and guidance on the Extended Schools programme, follow this link :-