The Provider:

All Saints RC School, Wigan

• All Saints is a small Catholic primary school on a Local Authority estate.  Children come from a variety of backgrounds, both relatively poor and more affluent.  Overall, however, attainment on entry to the school is below average.  Goborne, where the school is situated, is an ex-mining village.  Golborne has a poor health profile and levels of adult education are lower than average.  There are 171 pupils at the school, ten teachers and twelve Teaching Assistants.  The number of pupils being admitted to the school is stable.  The wraparound care provision, The Cool Club, is over-subscribed.  The school was judged “outstanding” in June 2006.

Summary:

This leading Aspect  application is for the range of out of hours activities and care provided by the school for pupils and their families.  This provision has three main elements:

1. Wraparound care- Wraparound Care consists of a before and after school club. These cater for working parents, parents undertaking training or for children whose families may be experiencing stress or trauma. A small charge is made for access to these clubs.
2. Flexible Nursery provision - Parents are currently entitled to 5 half days of Nursery provision free of charge. However, the school has extended this so that parents may place their child in the Nursery over lunchtime, and for additional sessions if they wish, for a small charge.
3. Out of hours activities - The out of hours clubs are led by teachers, teaching assistants, parents and on one occasion, pupils from the local High School. The clubs cater for children from age 5 to 11 before and after school and during lunch time. There are a wide range of clubs including: Cartoon club, Fit Kids, Chess club, Drama club, Cooking club etc etc. All clubs are free of charge.

• Parents are currently entitled to 5 half days of Nursery provision free. However, the school has extended this so that parents may place their child in the Nursery over lunchtime, and for additional sessions if they wish, for a small charge.
• All of the above provision has supported parents in their ability to work and undertake training whilst at the same time provided children with enjoyable,  and fun learning opportunities and care on the school site.  

The Aim:

• The provision provides an essential service for parents and carers
• Greater range, quality and quantity of extended services than many other schools of a similar size
• Little external funding.  Out of hours activities funded solely from the school’s budget.  For Wraparound and the additional Nursery provision we charge the minimum fees we can.
• The flexible, additional care in Nursery is innovative, we believe it is the first of this type in Wigan authority.
• Other professionals have studied our provision (especially in wraparound and the flexible Nursery care) as a model of good practice.

What do you see in the school?

• All teachers and teaching assistants lead activities during the year.
• Increased status of TA in nursery to “Nursery and Extended School’s Manager”
• Support by teaching staff for less experienced activity leaders                                 
• Governor involvement
• Induction and training for all staff
• Clubs organised at a range of times to ensure maximum attendance and provide convenience for carers
• Use of all staff/ governors/ parents to lead clubs
• School policy to provide a wide range of activities and care for all pupils before, after and during the school day and to involve staff, governors and parents. (see application page 5)
• Clear leadership of extended schools activities by the head teacher.
• Strong culture of team work and planning to people’s strengths.
• Staff and other adults encouraged and supported by SMT set up new and interesting extended school activities.
• Creation of “Extended Schools Management” post.
• Involvement with local High School pupils.
• Training e.g. child protection
• Extension of curriculum provision supports “Excellence and Enjoyment” and a broad, balanced curriculum.
• Equal opportunities~ all pupils encouraged and, where necessary, supported to take part.
• Increased opportunities for physical development.
• P.S.H.E. enhanced through working together in “The Cool Club”
• Opportunities for development of responsible behaviour towards children of all age groups and pupils from other schools.
• Regular discussion and liaison with club leaders, attendees and stakeholders.
• Monitoring of numbers who attend clubs.
• H.T. reports to Governing Body.
• Questionnaires and feedback forms to parents.
• Advice and support for parents and carers due to day to day contact through The Cool Club.
• Cross phase working.
• Partnership with LEA in developing wraparound care.
• Value for money. (No charge for clubs and minimal charge made for wrap around services)
• Practitioners from other settings visit the school to observe good practice and innovation.
• Willingness of staff to share good practice.
• Working closely with the LEA so that LEA can advise and also monitor the effectiveness of the extended school provision, in order to implement and develop good practice elsewhere.
• Discuss provision with local heads groups.
• Discussion and explanation of practice on recent British Council visit to India.

What difference does it make?

• Improved attendance
• Improved range of activities and experiences for all the children.
• Increased opportunities for staff development and teamwork.
• Support for working parents and carers.
• Increased levels of care for the nursery children and support for parents and carers of these children.
• Increased access to training and employment for parents through extended school hours and improved child care provision.
• Increased enjoyment and creativity.

From where is evidence collected to prove the Leading Aspect?

• Agendas and plans of meeting and visits.
• Attendance registers & figures
• Club files, attendance records and photographs
• Club timetables
• Discussion with club leaders and pupils
• Discussion with staff, H.T, Extended Schools Manager.
• Discussion with High School pupils.
• Discussion with out of hours provision leaders.
• Discussion with club leaders; staff and other team members.
• Discussion with H.T. and Discussion with Extended Schools Manager.
• Examples of training, discussion with staff about induction received.
• Governor involvement in DT club
• H.T. reports.
• Job description, files and discussion with manager
• Job description of “E.S.M.” and discussion.
• Observation of provision and discussion.
• Observation of provision.
• Observation of activities provided and documentation.
• Planning documents and policiesRange of provision.
• Policy documents, guidelines for adults other than teachers.
• Policy and discussion with teaching assistant support workers.
• Programme of activities.
• Programmes of activities and planned support
• Reports of meetings.
• Samples of questionnaires and responses.

The Verifiers Comment

The commitment and enthusiasm of all associated with the three aspects of this application is impressive and the benefits to children and parents alike are noteworthy. The service being provided to the parents of the nursery children is extremely valuable and should be much appreciated. The willingness of all teachers, teaching assistants, administrative staff and governors to give of their time to the various clubs and activities is testimony to the head teacher’s leadership and management of the school.