Teachernet, Research

Extended Schools research/evaluation reports

Most recent:

1) Evaluation of the Full Service Extended Schools Initiative (DfES Research Brief and Report 852) June 2007.

Main findings:
— Progress in full service extended schools was around double the rate of the national average between 2005 and 2006. At Key Stage 4, the percentage of pupils achieving 5+ A*-Cs at GCSE increased by just over 5%, compared to 2.5% increase nationally over the same period.
— They were also having a range of other impacts on outcomes for pupils, including engagement with learning, family stability and enhanced life chances.

Download summary research brief — RB852
Download full report — RR852

NB The Department previously funded a group of full service extended schools to act as 'pathfinders'. They had a specific remit to provide a range of services onsite including childcare, access to health services, adult learning, study support and community activities. The experiences and success of these and other schools have informed the core offer of services which it is expected will be offered by or through all schools, in partnership with local providers, by 2010.

2) Extended Services in Primary Schools in 2006 (DfES Research Brief and Report 809) November 2006.

Main findings:
— There has been a 13% increase in the number of primary schools offering regular activities and childcare for pupils before school, from 40% in 2005 to 53% in 2006.
— Since 2005 after school provision has increased from 87% to 91%.
— Holiday care provision has increased from 26% to 43% since 2005.
— Parenting courses are offered by 68% of primary schools compared with 42% in 2005 — family learning or workshops has increased from 39% to 58%
— Community access has increased from 75% — 81%.

Download summary research brief — RB809
Download full report — RR809

3) Evaluation of the Full Service Extended Schools Project: End of Second Year Report (DfES Research Brief and Report 795) September 2006.

Main findings:
— Extended schools benefit children, young people, their families and wider communities.
— Schools offering extended services are seeing improvements in pupil attainment, reduced exclusion rates and increased intake numbers.

Download summary research brief pdf — RB795
Download full report pdf — RR795
Download summary research brief word
Download full report word

4) Ofsted report — 'Extended services in schools and children's centres' July 2006 — evidence that extended services is helping to enhance self-confidence, improve relationships, raise aspirations and lead to better attitudes to learning. Read the press release here.

5) Ofsted report: 'Extended schools: a report on early developments' Feb 2006 — evidence that extended services are contributing to significant improvements in pupils' motivation and attendance and that increased activities are making them better motivated to learn. Parents are similarly enthusiastic and there are examples of how life chances have been improved for vulnerable families and children.

6) Evaluation of the Full Service Extended Schools Project: End of First Year Report (DfES Research Brief and Report 680) September 2005.

Main findings
— When managed properly, extended services can free heads and teachers to concentrate on teaching.
— Where schools were achieving high levels of multi-agency working there were considerable benefits in supporting vulnerable children and their families.
— There was considerable anecdotal evidence that extended services were helping to raise attainment, increased pupil engagement and learning and growing trust and support between families and schools.

Download summary research brief — RB680
Download full report — RR680

Read some quotes from schools featured in the report

7) Extended Services in Schools: Baseline Survey of Maintained Schools in 2005 (DfES Research Brief and Report 681) September 2005 — in total 3,806 interviews were carried out with nationally representative samples of maintained schools.

Main findings
95% of secondary schools and 87% of primary schools offered after school activities; 65% of primary schools and secondary schools provided parenting support; 12% of primary schools and 10% of secondary schools provided the core offer of childcare or activities for school aged children during term time; and 75% of primary schools and 97% of secondary schools provided community use of the schools facilities.

Download summary research brief — RB681
Download full report — RR681

See also the following reports:

Evaluation of the Extended Schools Pathfinder Projects (DfES Research Brief and Report 530) April 2004.

NB this was an evaluation of the first tranche of full service extended school pathfinders.

Main findings
— For pupils, there was evidence that activities could have a postive impact on attainment, behaviour and attendance.
— For families, there was evidence that activities could have a positive impact on involvement in children's learning and that adult education was helping parents to act as role models for their children.
- For communities, there was evidence that activities could have an impact on community pride and community.

Click icon to download/open research brief