The importance of study support

The importance of participation in study support (out-of-school-hours learning) has been widely recognised for some time, and the benefits are particularly evident where a school or Local Authority has included a programme of study support activity in its overall strategy for school improvement.  The significance of study support is increasing as it forms an integral part of the government’s core offer for schools providing extended services.

What is the 'core offer'?

The core offer ensures that all children and parents have access to a minimum of services, including a varied menu of study support activities such as homework clubs, sport, music tuition, dance and drama, arts and crafts, special interest clubs, visits to museums and galleries and learning a foreign language.

Extended Schools and Every Child Matters

Extended schools is key to delivering the five outcomes of the Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme: being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieving economic wellbeing. The extended schools agenda aims to provide opportunities and services for all, giving all members of the community, whether in school or outside, equal access to a wide range of provision. Schools are at the heart of the delivery process, whether providing access to services or delivering them direct.

Study support - open all hours

All schools need to offer a varied menu of study support activities, which in primary schools should be combined with childcare from 8am to 6pm five days a week, for 48 weeks a year; and secondary schools should also offer young people a safe place to be from 8am to 6pm during term time and more flexibly in the school holidays.  In many cases, offering this access can pose a considerable challenge.

ContinYou's study support website

This is an online resource designed to help schools and local authorities to develop and enhance their programme of study support to meet that challenge. Created by ContinYou on behalf of Department for Children, Schools and Familes (formerly the DfES), it contains tools for auditing existing study support provision as well as a range of ideas and practical information on setting up and sustaining activities. It is an invaluable resource for anyone who is involved in developing study support as a key element of the extended schools agenda.