A network for extra-curricular and extended services practitioners. Share knowledge, discuss issues, be inspired.
The Learning Exchange Award uses the Charities Evaluation Services definition of impact: ‘wider and broader changes, benefits, learning or other effects’.
How well are they doing? The impact of children's centres and extended schools (Ofsted)
When Lyn Horton arrived in April 2006 as the Extended Services Co-ordinator, she faced a number of challenges in organising the 'full core offer' of extended services, not least the gruelling 214-mile round trip between the schools in her cluster.
What has particularly caught our attention is what an excellent model for sustaining extended services the NCESP has created, and what a positive and cohesive focal point the NCESP now is for young people and families from such a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds and circumstances.
As Lyn began planning a programme of events to enable families and children across the partnership to meet and become involved in learning and opportunities, her task became much more manageable with the evolution of a ‘Youth Ambassadors’ group. Twelve students were put together to facilitate a week of activities linked with a Youth Ministry Week. But the group has carried on and has now grown to over 50 students, with their own chair and steering group, an annual award – and another 70 students are waiting to join!
An enthusiastic, proud and talented troop of young volunteers, trained up in all the skills and areas of knowledge needed to help run and organise events and activities – truly an extended services force to be reckoned with. What more could a cluster manager want? The young people learn about safeguarding and group work, and learn listening skills, leadership skills, and they can also specialise in their own areas of interest and skill development – ranging from research, working in the film unit, sports, playground games, to drama, dance and food preparation. And, the Ambassadors are always represented on the NCESP Extended Services Steering Group and Governance Committee. In addition to all of this, they have developed a most impressive skill that will stand each and every one of them in good stead throughout their lives: over two years, they have been writing successful funding bids and collectively have raised over £100,000!
This website and video of the Youth Ambassadors has told us everything we needed to know about the impact that the Youth Ambassadors feature of the NCESP has had and continues to have.
So, congratulations again to Lyn, Wendy and all the Young Ambassadors.
Churchfields School, Salcombe Grove, Swindon, Wiltshire. Congratulations to Amanda Mercer, Extended Services Co-ordinator
United Cluster in Blackburn and the Blackburn Ballers. Congratulations to Victoria Singleton, Extended Schools Locality Co-ordinator.
Joseph Leckie Community Technology College Extended Services Cluster. Congratulations to Coral Gardiner, Extended Schools Manager.
Central Cluster, Thurrock for its Summer Holiday programme. Congratulations to Holly O’Neill, Cluster Co-ordinator.
Thank you all for entering this year’s Learning Exchange Awards.
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The Learning Exchange Awards recognise outstanding practice in extended services provision. Good-quality evidence of impact as well as knowing what works are crucial elements in being able to sustain extended services, and the Learning Exchange Awards are part of the attempt to identify that evidence and good practice.
The 2010 Learning Exchange Awards aim to draw out good practice and impacts on pupils of extended programmes, activities, services or interventions around:
raising pupils’ attainment and other achievements, improving pupils' attendance and behaviour, and raising school standards overall.
