Will social enterprise be the Big Society's fall guy?    The 'big society' could end up making public services feel more engaged in deciding how those service are to be run, staff more committed to the services they provide, the public more in control and less alienated from society. But it could just as easily create a two-tiered system of services... (from section: Big Society)

Interview with Dr Sarah Aitken   The consultant offers advice on the simple things that schools can do to help reduce child poverty. (from section: Interviews)

It must be more than a professional feelgood exercise   Ryan Shorthouse in The Guardian looks at how affluence may effect who will volunteer in the Big Society. (from section: Big Society)

The expense of after-school clubs   Video report about Save The Children's drive to get more funding for activities so that less children miss out. (from section: Videos)

The school with no headteacher   Palmer Park Preparatory Academy in Detroit in the USA is the site of an ambitious experiment where teachers rule the school. (from section: Articles)

Why children need to engage outside with nature   A look at so-called "nature deficit disorder" and the detrimental effects on health and development for children who do not get to interact with nature. (from section: Play)

Can banded admissions help schools become fairer?   An article looking at the proposals by Martin Narey of Barnardo's for an admissions system that could redress the balance and help disadvantaged children. (from section: Articles)

School finance: how to stay out of the red   An article on the rocky financial road ahead, with one school offering up its finances for an analysis into how to survive. (from section: Funding know-how)

Try our whiteboards   Download the latest Bulletin magazine to read about how Chatham Grammar School for Boys has been working with community language schools (also known as supplementary schools) in Medway. Partnership working is now a two-way street, flowing with rich benefits for pupils and teachers alike: international days, football tournaments, and sharing traditional food, training courses – even interactive whiteboards. (from section: Supplementary schools)

Relative poverty across Scottish Local Authorities   An August 2010 publication with official figures from the Scottish government about the distribution of income and relative poverty across Scotland. (from section: Child poverty)

Double class learning with daily exercise and no grades   An article about Professor Dylan William who tried out his experimental theories to great success in a new documentary coming soon to BBC2. (from section: Articles)

The links between shame and poverty   Article on a new major study that hopes to help encourage anti-poverty policies around the world to focus on human dignity. (from section: Child poverty)

DCLG Structural Reform Plan   Set out in July 2010, this is the government's plan to free local councils and communities from centralised governance. (from sections: Locality working & Total Place)

Growing Unequal? Income Distribution and Poverty in OECD Countries   A 2008 report on poverty with emphasis on younger generations and possible methods of tackling the problem. (from section: Child poverty)

Breakthrough in Oldham   A 2006 film about the efforts to connect primary schools in racially-segrated Oldham through the LEA's linking project. (from section: Videos)

What will 'independence really mean for academies?   Tom Clark comments in The Guardian that the Academies Act may be more centralising than it first appears. (from Library section: Articles)

The dramatic results of early intervention   With a review of early intervention schemes now underway, this article and video take a look at their impact and how they are being invested in. (from section: Early intervention)

Sustainability: Working with the third sector and volunteers  This Learning Exchange advice sheet covers points to consider when looking for volunteers to help run and manage your extended services.

Why milk matters   The recent rethink over cutting milk for schoolchildren is good news for us all. (from Library section: Articles)

Tam Fry fronts up to the fryers   As spokesman for the national obesity forum and founder of the child growth foundation, Tam advises headteachers on how to promote  healthy eating with the House of Munch. (from Library section: Health)

Commissioning support for schools   Schools that opt for separating from local authority control in this new era of academies and free schools will need the best commissioning advice available.  The Commissioning Support Programme can help schools to achieve better outcomes for children, young people and their families. The site includes access to an online community. 

Trust Youth    This is an active citizenship programme designed to encourage and enable young people to make a difference within their communities. Trust Youth is also working to raise the profile of the voluntary sector within schools and to encourage more young people into volunteering. (Also in Library section: Voluntary sector...)

CitySafe: the self-help plan to make streets safer   A look at the innovative self-policing community project developed by London Citizens that is catching on further afield. (Also in News section under: Big Society)

Turning the Corner - Beyond incarceration   A report from the Young Foundation which argues for innovation in the justice sector in regards to policy, strategic and implementation levels, both locally and nationally. (Also in Library section: Youth...)

Are public services listening to young people? Apparently not.   Over 1,000 young people recently polled by the National Participation Forum say they aren't being listened to about what they want from public services

Oldham school merger: racial cohesion?   A Newsnight film about a bold attempt to combine two deeply segregated schools in the town that saw race riots nine years ago. Watch the complete film on iplayer until 12 August (from 2 minutes onwards).

Community cohesion in an era of super diversity   A video of Ted Cantle from the Institute of Community Cohesion giving a lecture on how cohesion has emerged as a widely adopted policy and the key challenges ahead. (Also in Library section: Community cohesion)

Why looking back could be the best way of looking forward   If you are considering different ways of sustaining your extended services - through a social enterprise, or a mutal, for example - this may interest you. Julian Dobson thinks we need a bill of rights for the community sector so it can thrive in the 21st century. Here's a quote from his piece dated 15 July: 'As Stephen Thake, adviser to the [Joseph Rowntree Foundation's] community assets programme, pointed out, the current urgency in considering different forms of ownership follows a 30-year renaissance of community action. Such action needs time to succeed – and protection from the caprices of policy-making. As Dr Thake put it: "History tells us that those in power have not protected the interests of co-ops and mutuals. We cannot take the ability of the community sector to thrive for granted."' (Julian is editorial director of New Start magazine a consultant specialising in placemaking and sustainable communities.)

Community and mutual ownership: a historical review   There's lots of talk about 'mutuals' these days. This July 2010 research paper argues for systematic and values-based approaches to be the basis of community and mutual ownership if these are to adequately respond to current social problems. It notes that developing democracy, membership and belongig takes time, and looks at five models of community ownership over the past 2,000 years. (By Tom Woodin, David Crook and Vincent Carpentier of the Institute of Education, University of London and produced by The Joseph Rowntree Foundation.)

Joseph Rowntree blogs   Budget cuts, Beveridge and devolution (Jim McCormick); Homes for life - let's shift the debate and innovate (Kathleen Kelly); State funding is vital for Big Society to thrive (Nancy Kelley) - and others.

Hurdles for Big Society aspirations?    People can do things for themselves - though there are still challenges. Read the Joseph Rowntree report about this 2002-2004 Hull project, which aimed to see how much low-intensity community care could be delivered by people in the community themselves. It successfully addressed broad community development issues, with communities prioritising issues such as community facilities and provision for young people. But the challenges remain familiar. While it achieved some low-level health and social care benefits, it was more difficult to develop specific care and support initiatives; also, too few volunteers meant some activities couldn't be set up or sustained; new community spaces were sometimes contested, and community politics meant networks didn't always represent all parts of the community; community groups generally found it difficult to reach more vulnerable groups in the population (sound familiar?); and, agencies and the community often had different approaches that needed careful negotiation.

'Don't cut the grass, it's dangerous' says council that stopped cutting grass   A council that stopped cutting grass banks to save money has told residents they should not do it themselves in case they get hurt. (Also in News section: Big Society)

The economics of value and localism   Many people believe that standardising services cuts costs, when in fact it prevents systems from absorbing variety. So here’s a counter-intuitive idea: it cuts costs when citizens are ‘re-coupled’ with the services they want and when these are delivered to people ‘at the point of transaction’ – that is, when and where they need them. Read what Professor John Seddon, an occupational psychologist, researcher and leading authority on change in the public sector, has to say. (Also in Library section: Locality working)

The thin red? blue? yellow? line... here does the role of government end and the role of ‘society’ begin?    And where does charitable giving fit in? Read Hannah Pavey's Blog on New Philanthropy Capital. (Also in News section: Big Society)

Remember what went around? Well, it's come around again - sort of...   Read Mike Baker's article Gove's academies: 1980s idea rebranded? (1 August 2010) about the origins of the academy schools idea. (Also in News section: Academies, free schools, charter schools, chain schools)

Extended Services Evaluation: End of Year One Report     A third of schools still struggle to engage disadvantaged pupils in extended services; at least seven in ten schools agree that extended services have led to greater pupil enjoyment of school, greater pupil engagement in learning and greater parental engagement in children's learning. Fewer, however, report reduced behaviour or discipline problems and improved attendance, and the report also says it's much less common for schools to have observed a reduced number of exclusions. (Hannah Carpenter, Mark Peters and Daniel Oseman, TNS-BMRB; Dr Ivy Papps, TECIS; Alan Dyson and Lisa Jones, University of Manchester Colleen Cummings, Karen Laing and Liz Todd, Newcastle University. (Also in Library section: Sustainability)

Making extended services sustainable: the 'Cluster' is key   This is a PowerPoint presentation created to help extended services cluster managers assess the conditions for sustainability within their clusters. It's a tool that resulted from work done with 30 ESRAs and cluster managers from 20 local authorities and is designed to be used by cluster managers in meetings with headteachers or other school leaders – rather like a ‘moderated self-assessment’. By comparing the results across the cluster, it could serve as a useful developmental tool for both individual schools and clusters as a whole. (Also in Library section: Sustainability)

Sustainability: Identifying and responding to need   Sustainability is not just about fundraising for maintenance. A key to it is continual assessment of need. You also need to be able to demonstrate the impact of the services that meet that need. And, it's also about providing services that families and young people want. This sheet demonstrates the SWEEP method for assessing what people in schools and local authorities already know about their services, which can help to reach a clear baseline from which to start planning more services or new services. (Also in Library section: Sustainability)

Can charities build a big society?   Hear what people in the charity sector think about the Big Society. (Also in News section: Big society)

Democratic control in the Big Society? And what about quality assurance?   Stephen Brooks, information and development officer at Mind, a charity helping people with mental health issues wonders who will be responsible. (Also in News & Events section: Big society)

Two and a half cheers for the Big Society   Dr Rowan Williams says, in the Telegraph (22 July) that the Big Society represents a 'watershed moment' in British politics if it's pursued with imagination. But only if it isn't turned into a 'buck-passing exercise'. (Also in News & Events section: Big society) 

Can Britain face up to gangs of cider-drinking teenagers?    Asbos are in the news again - this time, they're on their way out. Read Julia Margo's Guardian comment. She and co-author Sonia Sodha pointed out in their co-authored research report, Ex Curricula, undertaken for think tank Demos, that Asbos have 'helped make Britain look broken' and 'somehow in decline', that 'parents are no longer able to parent and we are powerless in the face of a group of teenagers drinking cider'.

Ex Curricula    A report written this year by Julia Margo and Sonia Sodha for DEMOS, which claims: 'Asbos focused public attention on low-level yobbery and youthful misdemeanour, and criminalised a generation of young people'. The report drew on an analysis of the Millennium Cohort Study, survey of over 15,000 five year olds and makes recommendations about parenting and early years provision for 0-5 years, behaviour and exclusion, special educational needs and spreading evidence-based, preventative practice in schools.

Britain's most unusual Asbos   Read about some of the more bizarre behaviours that have been addressed through the much-hated Asbo.

The value of children's trusts   Sir Paul Ennals' view is: Children's trusts' time has come. Most people are aware there is a need to pool resources - it makes financial sense'. Read a range of views about the success or otherwise of children's trusts. The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 updated the list of partners in children's trusts to include maintained schools, non-maintained schools, academies, further education colleges and pupil referral units. (Also in Library section: Articles)

Michael Gove can earn the gratitude of a generation   Read the latest Janet Daley piece on the Telegraph website. It's causing a stir. (Also in News & Events section: Academies, new schools, charter schools, chain schools... what's the difference?)

Letters to the Guardian (28 July)   Read some 'takes' on the Academies Bill and on the Pupil Premium

Will academies leave pupils unprepared for 'real' life?   The Campaign for Science and Engineering thinks so.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education in Schools   New report from Ofsted, 23 July 2010 (Also in Library section: Health)

'Logic will get you from A to B but imagination will get you everywhere'   This is a quote from the Kent Council's Total Place Final Report. Here's another, from page 39: 'As part of the Asset Management Strategy it is essential to undertake an in depth evaluation of the current usage of the school facilities across Kent. This will include looking at the option for establishing a commercial vehicle, possibly including private sector partners, to manage and operate the school estate outside of school hours (including weekends and holidays) through a consultative arrangement with the governance of the current schools estate (i.e. Governors and Head Teachers). It is important that the Extended Schools and Building Schools for the Future programme continue as new providers of community assets as well as drivers of educational change.' (Also in Library section: Total Place)

France: A 'Festival of Errors'    Penicillin and crisps were mistakes. Did you know that? This week, in Paris, French children were encouraged to make as many mistakes as possible to encourage them to think. (Also in Library section: Articles)

Sex education in Holland   A video about how the Dutch keep their teen pregnancy rates so low. (from: Video)

Filling the Jobs Gap: new report from new economics foundation explains why national insurance plans won't fill the job gap. (Also in Library section: Policies, research and guidelines)

KIDS: resources to support inclusion of disabled children and young people in play activities   KIDS adopts the approach of working in partnership with parents and carers to enable disabled children and young people to develop their skills and abilities and to fulfil their potential, hopes and aspirations. These resources offer a huge range of advice and suggestions, research and information about inclusion - in particular, look at All of us - The Framework for Quality Inclusion. (Also in Library sections: Holiday Activities Pilot; Inclusion; and Play).

The Young Carers' revolution has begun   Find out more about the Young Carers' Revolution - and if you are offering extended service to young carers, visit the Young Carers Revolution BlogSpot. (Also in Library section: Inclusion).

NCB's fee resources   The NCB offers a range of free resources for people who work with children and young people.

BBC Radio 4 Moral Maze discussion (available on BBC iPlayer for 7 days from 21.7.2010). The Big Society is a huge, risky social experiment. If it goes wrong, who will suffer most? It'll need lots of local action to get it going. Will or can volunteers replace many of the services currently provided by local authorities? Do they even want to? Will the Big Society result in more micro-management by the state? Should we all be more than individual consumers of state services or just close our doors on our communities? Listen to Michael Buerk and the Moral Maze team talk to witnesses Mark Littlewood (Director General at the IEA - a free market think tank); Philip Blond, Director of the think tank ResPublica; Silla Carron, Chair of the Tenants Association at Clarence Way Estate; and Nick Pearce, Former Head of the No 10 Policy Unit. 

Poverty and 'place': does locality make a difference? (From Poverty 128 Autumn 2007)    Does locality matter when we're attempting to work out the level of poverty or disadvantage in an area? This surprising research reports states: 'Professionals wishing to develop services tailored to low-income families in the affluent contexts had often been frustrated by lack of funding, political will or community support. At the same time, professionals working in highly deprived areas talked of the risk of over-familiarity with poverty, of becoming immune and not noticing it any more, and may sometimes fail to give due recognition to the challenges it poses as a result.' Apparently, poor families living in relatively affluent areas with greater local inequality can face issues that have not been much explored so far. (Also in Library section: Total Place)

Sustainability: what it is NOT - and what it IS   A quick reminder to pin on your wall, adapted from a PowerPoint presentation from Ian Smith and Jean Emdon of the HoPES (Honicknowle & Ham Partnership of Extended Services) – a partnership of schools and extended services partners centred on the John Kitto Community College and the Plymouth YMCA – with thanks from the Learning Exchange. (section: Sustainability)

Active young citizens   Interview with Sophie Livingstone, chief executive of City Year London: 'Volunteers will run a breakfast club, "add value" in the classroom, play with pupils in break times and run sessions after school, providing a "big brother or sister role".' (section: Interviews)

Improving Primary Schools: The Extra Mile   Video about two primary schools tha thave attained higher standards due to parental and community involvement and activities such as breakfast clubs. (section: Video)

Strong case for family intervention   An article on how children's charities are defending themselves from recent reports about the effectiveness of family intervention projects. (section: Articles)

Cuts and the future of infrastructures   Guardian podcast featuring various charity chiefs discussing cuts and how to make the most of partnership working. (section: Video)

A fresh approach to rehabilitation   What Kenneth Clarke's rehabilitation revolution could mean for youth justice organisations. (section: Articles)

Against the odds: Re-engaging young people in education, employment or training   The July 2010 Audit Commission report on why and how local councils should help young people not in education, employment and training. (section: NEET)

A Journey to Charitable Status: the hare and tortoise race in London's East End   This PowerPoint presentation from Learning Exchange member Simon Vincent of the E13 Learning Community describes the journey to charitable status that the E13 Learning Community is undertaking - slowly but surely - with the aim of making extended services sustainable for the schools in E13. The journey isn't yet complete, but so far it can be a useful model for other clusters. Please send a message to Simon on the Learning Exchange if you wish to ask questions. (sections: Member docs; Sustainability)

The new welfare system overhaul   An article looking at the rearrangements in the fight against poverty and what it means for children and families. (section: Child Poverty)

Positivity in practice: approaches to improving perceptions of young people and their involvement in crime and anti-social behaviour   An NFER study about tackling perceptions on both local and national levels. (section: Youth)

Sustainability: partnerships with supplementary schools   There are many rewards to be had when mainstream schools work in close partnership with supplementary schools. (section: Sustainability)

Sustainability: Money, money, money...   This sheet offers some useful pointers about seeking funding through Trusts to sustain extended services. (section: Sustainability)

Child-friendly neighbourhoods: lessons from Europe   A look at the methods used across northern Europe to provide spaces for children and what the UK could learn from them. (section: Play)

Measuring the impact of extended services   Some excellent real-life examples from education consultant Nick Holt. (section: Monitoring)

Emmanuel's Story   A short video following an ambassador for young people in Southwark as he offers his community advice and raises awareness about positive behaviour. (section: Video)

The cost-cutting council merger   A look at how Westminster and Hammersmith & Fulham councils plan to combine their education services to save money. (section: Total Place)

Coalition government: Impact on extended services   This powerpoint  from Eddie Needham and Corinne Cappell looks at who's who in the coalition government education team, how the coalition will affect extended services and reiterates the fundamental points to bear in mind when assessing the sustainability of extended services.

Technology revolution: the way for education to survive cuts   John Stone, CEO of LSN, argues that promoting technology-enabled distance learning will inevitably be the best way for the education sector to save its 25 per cent.

Do it 4 Real (Youth Hostel Association)   If you're organising holiday activities for children aged 10 – 19, and haven't been on a Youth Hostel Association 'Do it 4 Real' Summer Camp yet, there could be some good reasons to check out this option. Read the latest Do It 4 Real impact report.

Need to Know: The Budget and School Funding   Mike Baker's video looks at the financial future for schools, including the pupil premium.

Teaching Awards: an opportunity for opinions   Shirley Williams discusses how she used the awards as a chance to get views on education and its future from some of its brightest stars.

The end of independent appeals panels?   The new government wants to cut bureaucracy but it may leave unjustly excluded pupils with nowhere to state their case.

Evaluation of Intensive Family Support Projects in Scotland   Evaluation of the establishment, operations and impact of 5 projects focused on families at risk of eviction for antisocial behaviour.

Inside an academy   A visit to Petchey Academy in east London to see how it is improving prospects for its pupils.

Partnerships beyond children's services   Guidance on how we should be open not only to obvious and established relationships when developing extended services, but also to working with more unusual partners.

Education innovation in the slums   In his TED talk, Charles Leadbetter discusses the informal, disruptive new kinds of schools he found in some of the world's poorest slums and what other schools can learn from their experiences.

Very Early Evidence   Leon Feinstein's 2003 study examining links between pre-school tests, social class and final academic levels.

Nature or nurture: which determines educational success?   Mike Baker discusses Feinstein's study and its influence since its appearance.

Welcoming the Community - Overcoming Concerns   A booklet from Active Norfolk on how schools can extend their sport facilities. Addresses specific concerns in turn and includes planning flowchart.

Will the new academies leave out children with special educational needs?   Fiona Millar analyses the new rules and how they relate to SEN.

The power of school-to-school partnerships   Partnerships between schools are crucial for the future delivery of extended services. Here's a document that points out three case studies on the Learning Exchange which demonstrate this as well as three good models for how to manage school-to-school partnerships to sustain extended services.

Fairness and unfairness: a report of children’s views by the Children’s Rights Director for England   268 children and young people in boarding schools, children's homes and other care and residential settings gave their views and experiences about fairness and unfairness.

Gove takes control of the curriculum   Mike Baker looks at what the abolition of the QCDA will mean for education.

Let's raise kids to be entrepreneurs   In this TED video, entrepreneur Cameron Herold discusses how some children branded as failing may just need different educational aspirations to develop their natural talents.

Many teachers feel loyal to and value local education authorities' support    The Northern Teaching Award finalists debate academy pros and cons with Baroness Shirley Williams.

Early Intervention - Early messages from effective local practice 'call for evidence'   A paper summarising local early intervention practice validated as excellent or deemed promising. The paper has been compiled by the Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services (C4EO) and the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) in response to their the joint call for effective practice from ADCS and C4EO. It highlights the early messages from an analysis of these initial case studies.

Two heads are better than one: Partnership working as a route to sustainability   Some excellent practical tips from Beauchamp College in Leicester on building partnerships that can sustain extended services.

Sustainability and governance   The CfBT Education Trust’s document Extended services: ensuring sustainability using the social enterprise model (see below) looks at extended service planning and development within a social enterprise model. However, this is just one governance model that schools could consider for future sustainability of extended services. This document explains other options such as setting up a ‘Charitable Company’ or ‘Community Interest Company’. These two models also offer way to link a business approach with community values.

The age of austerity in children’s services   If you scroll down the page, you will find two telling case studies, one about Total Place in Birmingham and the other on the Breaking the Cycle project in Scotland.

The licence of academies   (Surely not?!) Academies are not publishing which subjects they are improving in - so are they that good? Read what Civita research says in The Guardian (13 June, by Tristram Hunt and Anastasia de Waal, guardian.co.uk)

Need to Know: The New Academies   Mike Baker's video looking at the coalition's academy drive and the pros and cons these schools face.

Interview with Helen Dent, chief executive of Family Action   Has there been "initiative-itis" in the past few years? Dent urges ministers to build on existing practice, not start afresh.

The zero waste school lunch   How a school in Texas got its pupils involved in helping the environment and also their syllabus.

Early Intervention - Early messages from effective local practice 'call for evidence'   A paper summarising local early intervention practice validated as excellent or deemed promising. The paper has been compiled by the Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services (C4EO) and the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) in response to their the joint call for effective practice from ADCS and C4EO. It highlights the early messages from an analysis of these initial case studies.

A lesson in sustainability from Tanzania   An inspirational film about a school in Arusha where everyone works hard to ensure nothing is wasted.

The Welfare Reform Bill and child poverty   A look at how the new bill will tackle its remit in the climate of cuts.

What youth work did for us   Dame Kelly Holmes, Jim Rosenthal, Nicole Coooke and Dizzee Rascal speak about how youth schemes helped them on the road to success.

Space Hop summer reading challenge   The official website includes a network for sharing comments and book recommendations, blogs from famous writers and online games.

What does academy freedom mean?   Mike Baker takes a long hard look at what exactly makes an academy different.

Black boys mentored   An in-depth look at the innovative "tough-love" approach being used in London by Capital Men.

Engaging parents in raising achievement: do parents know they matter?   Report on the EPRA project which was designed to find new ways of engaging parents, especially those considered "hard to reach".

Extended services: ensuring sustainability using the social enterprise model    In an age of funding cuts, is social enterprise a model for sustaining extended services into the future? This guide from the CfBT Education Trust looks at ways in which social enterprises are already used by schools to deliver extended services. The guide offers a six-stage strategic planning and business development process.

Young people’s reading: the importance of the home environment and family support   National Literacy Trust's findings from their 2009 survey of young people's reading and writing.

Multiply the method   An interview with Philip Bujak, chief executive of Montessori St Nicholas Charity.

Bring on the learning revolution   Sir Ken Robinson wonders why we keep trying to reform a broken education model? Innovation is hard, he says, but we need to challenge what we take for granted, and challenge the ‘tyranny of common sense’ so that our children’s natural talents can flourish. Hear him speak at the 2010 Ted Talks.

What should follow ContactPoint?   Arguments about the future of the database throw up anomalies around the use of the common assessment framework (CAF).

A giant leap forward for privatisation?   The private sector has already made significant inroads into State-funded education. Peter Wilby of The Guardian scopes a range of views, including those of Professor Stephen Ball of London University’s Institute of Education and author of Education plc, about where the free school road might lead to.

Ten education issues the new government should address   Peter Mortimore believes, among other things, that a democratically elected standing commission should be established, which is accessible to all citizens online. It's purpose would be 'to consider and recommend future changes to the education system, thereby easing the strangulation of educational thinking by party politics'.

Free schools - how have pupils fared in Sweden?   Mona Sahlin, leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party, gives an insider-view on how free schools have worked in Sweden.

Children's services in the Big Society   A look at the future impact on children by the coalition's plans for volunteering and social action.

Best of both worlds: the new trend of flexi-schooling   An article by a mother whose daughter shares education between both home and school.

The job no one wanted   An interview with Chris Pratt, director of children's services for Doncaster Council.

Is a pupil premium the best way to help poorer students?   Four different opinions from the sector.

Are family helplines any help?   Four popular helpline services are investigated to find out whether the advice offered is any good.

Hello free schools, goodbye hopes of better schools   Fiona Millar expresses her views on 'free schools' in guardian.co.uk's Comment is free. 

Can schools be free and accountable?   An analysis of the two major promises for schools over the next five years.

Young Carers: personal stories   A video looking at the hardships young carers face at home and how it affects their school life.

Children's centres and parent voice   Video about how two different children's centres are focusing on parent feedback to improve outcomes.

Questions on education policy for the new Con-Lib Dems   Mike Baker analyses the coalition's newly announced education plans.

Will merit pay work for teachers?   The coalition government has announced that schools will have the power to pay teachers according to performance, but is this a good idea?

Maths class needs an update   American high school teacher Dan Meyer gives a TED talk on why pupils should learn how to formulate problems, not just solve them.

The Department of Education   The newly rebranded website of what was until recently known as the DCSF.

Eight steps to creating an art club on the cheap   You don't have to live in a metropolitan area to expose kids to the creative arts.

The future of education under the coalition   Mike Baker examines the mutual interests of the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, such as the pupil premium.

There's money in them thar 'charter schools', me hearties!   Read about how Wall Street is doubling its money by investing in charter schools - and what it's doing to the schools.

A transformation in early years training   In-depth article about the changing landscape of early years training.

The scandalous neglect of 'gifted and talented' pupils   An Guardian article by Mike Baker, 17 March 2010

Daily Politics education debate   Mike Baker and Andrew Neil fire a range of questions at Ed Balls, Michael Gove and David Laws on their education policies.

Is this what lies at the heart of successful out-of-school-hours learning?    Watch Daniel Pink's brilliant animated demonstration about challenge, mastery and the purpose motive. You'll be surprised.

How can challenging schools attract teachers?   In-depth look at how schools can attract top quality staff to where they are needed most.

Wales: A comprehensive online A to Z guide to out-of-school-hours learning (oshl)   This is an extensive new website offering resources about out-of-school-hours learning. It's bilingual, and you can also download oshl mini guides for:parents and carers; children and young people; community and voluntary organisations; and local authorities. If you need more information, please contact the ContinYou Cymru team at 029 2047 8930 or email info.cardiff@continyou.org.uk.

What do politicians mean by 'properly' when they criticise primary literacy and numeracy levels?   Not a lot of time left to challenge politicians on their claims that 20, 30 and even 40 per cent of primary school leavers can’t read, write or add up ‘properly’. But if you have a chance, read Mike Baker’s explanation of how this thinking has come about.

No more buckets next to the teacher’s desk!    Read the long list of achievements. Extended schools gets a mention

Engaging older youth: Program and city-level strategies to support sustained participation in out-of-school time   This US study finds that high retention after-school study programmes in disadvantaged areas have five key characteristics.

An interesting take on collaboration   Tom Wujec says it's a contact sport - and you'll never guess who always beats the average in his famous 'marshmallow challenge'.

The dollars and cents of investing early: cost benefit analysis in early care and education   Nobel Laureate Professor James Heckman, Rob Grunewald (Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis) and Arthur Reynolds (University of Minnesota) explore how can the seemingly 'cold and calculating' cost–benefit analysis approach can help policy makers understand the impact of investments in infants and toddlers on children, their families, and society.

Election 2010: Party Policy Guide   Excellent in-depth party comparison from Children & Young People Now on key issues for children, young people &  their families. The summary comments are particularly good.

Poorer children’s educational attainment: how important are attitudes and behaviour?   This research report by Alissa Goodman and Paul Gregg of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation focuses on what influences aspirations, attitudes and behaviours in childhood. It uses a number of large-scale longitudinal data sources; looks at attainment gaps between richer and poorer children; examines the implications that expectations and aspirations have for higher education; looks at the intergenerational picture; and suggests some policy conclusions.

Aspiration in the face of a hurricane   Video about the methods that a school in New Orleans is using to inspire its pupils to better themselves.

Cohabitation, marriage and child outcomes    The Nuffield Foundation has funded the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) to examine data on 10,000 three and five year olds. The conclusion is that parental marital status is not the primary cause of differences in children’s social, emotional and cognitive development between those born to married and cohabiting couples.

How do you get children to behave in class?   Article analysing different methods of punishment and reward. Includes a comment section.

A place for culture: Developing a local culture offer for all children and young people   A new report wants more emphasis on culture in the extended school programme. The Department for Media, Culture and Sport also wants more older children encouraging their younger peers.

In the Money: Outside Help   A video about Gospel Oak School where a need in the budget causes the headteacher to seek advice from a business guru.

Publicising your extended services   A useful toolkit for schools, local authorities and their partners on how to spread information on their extended services.

School freedom in party manifestos   Mike Baker reads the small print and compares how much freedom schools are really likely to get.

Speed stacking takes school by storm   A video about Berger primary school in Hackney where the unusual indoor sport of stacking cups has the children learning team skills and improving their dexterity. Check the comments for varied views.

Building a sustainable future - how schools can use extended services to support the sustainable development agenda   Includes real practice examples and guidance on self-evaluation.

An enterprise of note   Make Your Mark With A Tenner is getting kids thinking creatively about entrepreneurism and how they can help their local communities.

Community Cohesion planning framework   Learning Exchange member Simon Bradley shares with us his valuable six point tool for approaching Community Cohesion. You can find more of his community cohesion guides on the member documents page.

Big Easy Ramblings   A teacher talks about the impact on his inner-city class after they visit post-Katrina New Orleans as part of a community-service project.

Transforming lives: extended services personal impact stories   A pack from the TDA with 38 positive impact examples from different types of schools across the UK.

Comparison of the big three's education policies   TES dissects the three main political parties' education pledges point by point.

Why do children with special needs still get such a raw educational deal?   An in-depth and personal article by the father of a boy with special educational needs examining the current state of SEN providers and the future promised in the coming election.

Seldom Heard   A guide based around the Your Voice, Your Choice programme about running participation training for young people who are harder to reach or difficult to engage.

Pockets of Poverty: The challenge for schools with small proportions of FSM pupils   A free booklet on frameworks for pupils on free school meals, particularly when they form a relatively small part of the school population.

Language teaching gets an upgrade   An in-depth article full of real-life testimonies on how languages can be taught with new technologies, creating learning networks not only in classrooms but between schools as well.

How a hung parliament could affect education   Professor Geoff Whitty, Director of the Institute of Education, gives his view on what's in store for education in the general election.

Lucy's Team: Common Assessment Framework   A video portrait about how the CAF has been used to help a troubled Year 9 pupil.

Sure Start support need not end when children reach five   Geoffrey Prescott, CEO of Ormiston Children & Families Trust, suggests planning ahead for Sure Start's future. The comments following his article are more than heated.

Parklands Primary School   A good example of a school website that offers information on extended schools and focuses on services for families.

Parenting and Family Support: Guidance for Local Authorities in England   Order free or download the updated guidance on developments in parent and family services including 'Think Family' which aims to help children's and adult's services work together.

Show and tell: Extending learning both within and beyond the classroom   The headteacher of Grays School in East Sussex leads a video on how an ICT learning platform has enhanced the school.

Childcare registration wizard   Online questionnaire to help you know whether you need to be on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, or on both Registers; or whether you could choose to make an application to register to be on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

How Working Tax Credits (WTC) can help families in your school   A report on how schools can help parents use WTC to enable them to work or train, thus helping to keep extended services more affordable and sustainable as a result.

Access for all: Pupil Referral Units and extended services   A 4Children report on how to ensure that children and young people in PRUs are able to benefit from the full range of extended services in and around schools.

Tackling truancy: Inner City Success   A video about how Stepney Green School transformed its truancy problems though various initiatives such as mentoring.

Social impact bonds and social value   Social Impact Bonds aim innovatively at providing a new way to invest in social outcomes. They are being developed in the UK by the Young Foundation and Social Finance. The innovation aims to address ‘misaligned incentives in social policy'; for example, schools being given inadequate incentives to offer services that prevent health problems. Three categories of approach are being explored, which involve 'some borrowing with repayment linked to success in achieving social impacts'.

The penny is dropping...   A Schools ETC article on how schools can get children and parents alike involved in learning about finances.

Election 2010 Testing the Parties   Three videos featuring the education minister for each of the main political parties being grilled by a panel of education experts.

What is to be gained through partnership?   A report on ten years of research into the impact and benefits of collaboration between schools, colleges and employers.

Financial Crisis   A filmed debate with a panel of educational experts asking how far should schools go to ensure they have enough funding for their services.

What should everyone know?   In preparation for their public debate, RSA asked a series of thinkers and activists what they believe everyone should be taught in school.

Scottish children feel benefits of yoga   Pupils in Quarry Brae Primary School talk about how their morning yoga sessions are making them feel happier and more focused. For more practical insights on how to set up a yoga club, check out this video: http://www.teachers.tv/video/29268

Slumdog reveals learning treasures   After the success of his self-directed learning project in India's slums, Sugata Mitra is bringing his methods to Britain.

Up: a tale of education spending   Figures show spending on education has been rising for 50 years, so will we be able to deal with the threatened cuts?

A little piece of England   Despite the press at home, the British education brand is very popular around the world with more and more countries adopting their own versions.

Extended schools: A greater role in the community   A very informative Guardian supplement from 2007 in association with the TDA. Includes FAQs, interviews and ideas on empowering the community through extended services. An oldie, but a goodie.

Wish you were here! - Practical guide to setting up holiday childcare   A user-friendly PDF full of step-by-step advice and information on developing childcare and activities for children during school holidays.

Equalities in action   This March 2010 Ofsted report identifies how childminders, nurseries, children’s centres, providers of day care, schools and pupil referral units have identified vulnerable children early and what interventions they have made to ensure these children can succeed.

The beginning of the end for state schools?   All parties are getting involved in the debate about new schools. Warwick Mansell’s article on 2 March covers the Conservatives’ ideas for new schools and giving parents more power, but questions where it might lead…

Kids transformed by music   In this TED video, Jose Antonio Abreu talks about how he founded El Sistema in 1975 to help poor Venezuelan kids learn to play a musical instrument and be part of an orchestra. 30 years on, El Sistema has seeded 102 youth orchestras and thousands of happy lives.

Using the Olympics to inspire   An article offering ideas on how the values of the Olympic Games can be used to get kids involved in sports, after-school activities and in other lessons.

Kids Don't Count   A two-part Channel4 documentary about the suffering maths abilities of UK children and their teachers (online until 24 March).

Keeping parent power fair   Involving parents is good but risks favouring only the pushy ones. Check the comments for a lively debate.

'Those who join teaching for non-teaching careers are missing the point'   Education State's alternative analysis of the recent ICM survey that shows teaching is 'under-rated'.

Listen to Jamie Oliver's TED wish for the USA - and we know it's his wish for us too.

Fair Society, Healthy Lives   In November 2008, Professor Sir Michael Marmot’s review, Fair Society, Healthy Lives, has proposed what the review panel considers to be the most effective policies and interventions for addressing the social determinants of health inequalities. The review was also asked to show how this evidence can be turned into practice and to advise on possible objectives and measures that will build on the experience of the current PSA target on infant mortality and life expectancy. 

The benefits of failure   A must-listen - even if you aren't a Harry Potter fan! J.K Rowling's address to Harvard's graduates in 2008.

All of us have a genius...   Listen to Elizabeth Gilbert give her TED talk about ‘radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius’.

Workforce reform in schools: has it made a difference?    Read the latest small-scale Ofsted study on how school workforce reform has progressed.

Extended Services Evaluation Reaching Disadvantaged Groups and Individuals   This January 2010 report aims to increase our understanding of how schools in a range of circumstances have been defining and responding to disadvantage in their development of extended services. In particular, it looks at how schools have been targeting disadvantaged groups and encouraging them to take up services.

An anatomy of economic inequality in the UK: Report of the National Equality Panel   This document sets out evidence on the relationships between inequalities in people's economic outcomes and their characteristics and circumstances and explains the ways in which 'who you are' affect the resources and opportunities available to you.

Parenting – across a cultural divide   Asylum-seeking or refugee parents often struggle to provide the support and guidance their children need to thrive in a new country. The National Parenting Academy helps deliver programmes to families in their own languages.

Schools' need to understand their new powers to enforce behaviour policies.   Mike Baker talks to Sir Alan Steer, the DCSF's behaviour advisor.

Making it through the wobble   Neil Irwin, Member Services Manager at the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action has timely fundraising advice for people developing extended services. His advice is applicable across the UK.

Infected children start infecting adults and other children, all over India   What Kiran Bir Sethi shows you will take your breath away…

A Tale of Two Film Clubs   The stories of two successful after-school film clubs. The first in a primary school where a pupil's suggestion to replace the condemned local cinema has brought the children together; and the second in a secondary school where the student-run group encourages discussion and democratic film selection.

Special Needs Inclusive Child Care Facts Sheet "Are You Ready?   This encouraging publication is from the New Jersey Afterschool Network. The network builds public awareness and support; offers guidance for parents, providers and advocates; strengthens relationships with policymakers, funders, practitioners and parents, and shares best practices in the field.

What's the best way to educate children with special needs?   The Politics Show looks at the debate over whether special needs children ought to mix with other pupils in mainstream schools.

The classroom cinema: the power of FILMCLUB   Ellen E Jones, from the DCSF-funded FILMCLUB, talks about the benefits of their successful after-school film scheme which is available for free to all state schools.

KIDS National Development Department   This Department promotes inclusion across the play, childcare and youth sectors through training, publications and partnership working.

Educational review of the decade   Education writer Mike Baker looks back at the big changes of the last decade and points to those which have, and will, make a lasting difference.

'If my child's not coming home covered in snot and poster paint, it's been a bad day at nursery'   Read what Kirsty Young, Desert Island Disc presenter has to say about pushy parents.

MDRC   This American think tank offers you access to an important body of evidence about what works - and doesn't work - in addressing some of society's toughest problems. Particularly, visit the page headed: Lessons from Three Decades of Research. The MDRC works in controversial areas, where public debate can be volatile and is known for its research work in areas ranging from welfare policy to school improvement.

Getting on: Well-being in later life   Society has a mixed and incomplete picture of older people’s well-being. If nothing else, read the recommendations in this report written by James McCormick with Jonathan Clifton, Alic Sachrajda, Myriam Cherti and Eleanor McDowell, produced by think tank ippr, December 2009.

Spot the child due for a life of crime   Richard Garside, a lecturer on crime at King's College London, argues the Youth Crime Action Plan is inherently flawed. Check the comments for a mix of views.

Should We Teach Farming in Schools?   With the Copenhagen climate change summit on everyone's mind, an American chemistry teacher posts an open letter to today's children about what they really ought to be learning.

Support Staff: What Matters to You   A series of four videos by Teachers TV about extended services support staff and their impact on school life.

What's the best way to educate children with special needs?   The Politics Show looks at the debate over whether special needs children ought to mix with other pupils in mainstream schools.

How are schools required to support community cohesion?   This is an excellent article on www.usethekey.org.uk which explains the duty on schools to promote a common vision, sense of belonging and equality of opportunity under the Education and Inspections Act 2006. It outlines government guidance and links to an online resource pack for schools.

The Scary Guy meets the parents   Video of anti-bullying guru The Scary Guy in a one-to-one session with parents about the effect of their behaviour on children and the importance of listening.

How stranger danger changed the way children play    A look at how over the last 50 years children have moved from spending all their free time outside to just staying home. Check the comments for some nostalgic views.

Quick facts from Family trends - British families since the 1950s (a report from the Family & Parenting Institute)

A fair verdict on Labour years?   Mike Baker gives a balanced review of the UK schools report by the Office for National Statistics, highlighting the positives overlooked by sensationalist headlines.

Sinking and swimming: understanding Britain's unmet needs   This Young Foundation report has important implications for policy, philantropy and public action. Based on new analysis of statistical data, case studies, surveys and hundreds of conversations with people across the country, it explores how Britain’s psychological and material needs are being met –  or not. One of its proposals is that policy makers rethink welfare provision through the lens of 'well-being'.

Backing the Future    This September 2009 report puts forward the economic and social case for transforming the way we invest in the future of society through our children. From the New Economics Foundation and Action for Children.

Family-style dinners for school lunch   A pupil shows us how the City Academy in Hackney encourages socialising and responsibility by giving children individual tasks at group meals.

An academy for all ages: Why 'all-through' state schools are booming   The model allows gifted primary children to join in with older lessons, and struggling older ones to get primary help with the basics. Independent, 2 October 2008

Teaching children about conflict resolution   Tottington High School in Bury talk about how they use a role-playing day for pupils to learn about history, politics and social issues.

Holds all ages   A breakdown of the ins and outs of the all-through school model using the enterprising Serlby Park college in Nottinghamshire. Teachernet, May 2007

Safer School Partnerships (SSPs) - Guidance   This guidance outlines the benefits of SSPs and how to set up and how to maintain them.  (The guidance only applies to England.)

Don't want... but need...   Tackling the thorny customer, or trying to inspire those who 'don't want to know', is just about the hardest task anyone working in extended services will have to face. So how do you go about it? (Schools ETC magazine, September 2007.)

Little things count   A look at what works in making extended services meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in communities (Schools ETC Know How, December 2007)

Teaching children about conflict resolution   Tottington High School in Bury talk about how they use a role-playing day for pupils to learn about history, politics and social issues.

Too many initiatives not enough teaching   Harriet Sergeant, author of 'Wasted: the betrayal of white working class and black Caribbean boys', talks to young men in West Norwood who feel the school system has failed them.

Building character    'We shape and strengthen our character throughout life, but the critical years are the early ones. Parents, then, are the primary character builders in society.' by Jen Lexmond and Richard Reeves. A free pamphlet from Demos.

Making of me   A paper that looks at how families could be better supported and how we might get more from our existing investments in this area. The authoris ask questions about what should be done as a stimulant for the kinds of ideas we need. By Jen Lexmond and Shelagh Wright. A free pamphlet from Demos.

The arts education effect   Why schools with arts programs do better at narrowing achievement gaps:  Sandra S. Ruppert, director of the Arts Education Partnership, a national coalition of more than 100 arts, education, government, and philanthropic organisations advocating for an increased role for the arts in schools commented in Education Week on 23 September, 2009

Child participation is controversial but it's actually the key   Marie Staunton, former director of Amnesty UK, gives her unique perspective on the 20th anniversary of the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child

UNICEF-sponsored school shows dramatic improvements   Porchester Community School near Portsmouth has encouraged pupils to bloom by using a rights-focused approach to teaching and learning.

Welcome to Somalishire   Somali teenagers Nura and Ilias live in London's East End but visit an authentic Somalian camp at Degmo in Wales, a place which mirrors the traditional rural culture of their homeland - a far cry from the negative media images of Somalia.

Death to the Deficit!    In BBC Radio 4's Analysis programme on 9 November 2009, Frances Cairncross argued that deep cuts across the public sector are the only way to shore up our national finances. You can subscribe to the Analysis podcasts on iTunes or go straight to the BBC Radio 4 website.

Labour is a long way off its target to end child poverty   Labour has done more to lift children out of child poverty than any other government before it. But if the 2020 goal isn't achieved, could this be its greatest failure? Listen to Polly Toynbee's short comment made in February 2009 - and weight it up against the Best of Today podcast in which David Cameron gives his views on ending child poverty.

From BBC Radio 4's Best of Today podcast, 9 November 2009:

• Tories 'will look at causes of poverty'   David Cameron sets out his party's policies to combat poverty.
• What approach to parenting works best? The Demos think tank gives its advice on parenting - saying both warmth and discipline builds a good character in children. The report suggests children of married couples and wealthier backgrounds also tend to fare better. Co-author of the report Richard Reeves and Camila Batmanghelidjh of charity Kids Company, discuss the report.

Does Britain need some 'unashamed social engineering' - along the lines of El Sistema?   A letter to the Guardian from Richard Steinitz, Huddersfield University, commenting on Simon hoggart's article on 7 November.

Everyone loves the new kid in school  On 19 August, 2008, Anna Bawden reported on the development of co-operative school trusts. Interesting to note that Reddish Vale, one of the first co-operative trust schools, felt the ‘academy’ solution went ‘against a movement for greater community inclusion and involvement…’

Enjoy a little diversion...   Thought provoking clips from The Lorax to Cat Stevens' 'Where do the Children Play?'

Flirt? Fantasise? Play? - it's all more than just plain fun   A pioneer in research on play, Dr. Stuart Brown, pioneer play researcher says we should keep up humor, games, roughhousing, flirtation and fantasy - it'll keep us smart at any age.

Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste? sans everything?    No way José! Take a look into your future - read Mike Baker’s take on the Report from the Inquiry into the Future of Lifelong Learning.

Take a walk round Dudley with Linden   What does Romeo and Juliet have to do with communities and social cohesion in Dudley? Linden Walcott Burton explores the link - this is an excellent video! Congratulations to Linden, the Dudley Community Partnership and the Dudley Borough Council who produced it.
[To watch the video in a separate window, double click on the screen to access a bigger screen on the Youtube site. Then, click on the red arrow at the top right hand corner of the bigger screen. That way, you can easily return to the Learning Exchange.]

Narrowing the gap - Final guidance: Year 1   This is improved and final guidance derived from the research programme that looked at how children's services can narrow the gap in achievement for disadvantaged children and young people. 

Integrated working: 'Sharing the journey'   This is a terrific resource for children's services practitioners. It's a magazine from Children's Workforce Development Council that outlines inspiring projects which addressed some of the central themes around integrated working (Team around The Child (TAC); Involving children and young people in the common assessment framework (CAF); and the role of the lead professional). You can download this as a pdf, an e-book, or you can order the DVD.
Also, look at Joining the pieces - a series of excellent documents and tools from nine local authority sites that were involved in developing integrated working.

Coaching - a PowerPoint presentation by Martyn Davies (2009) - useful PowerPoint presentation that highlights some fundamental points about the process of coaching. Martyn is happy for people to use the presentation but asks that his copyright notice at the back is adhered to.

Twenty years of children's rights   A report from Children and Young People Now