The survey by 4Children, supported by the DfES, found that headteachers are interested in the extended schools concept but are being held back by concerns over staffing, funding, sustainability and building capacity.
The Government has set ambitious targets that all schools become extended schools, open from 8am to 6pm, all year round, by 2010. Headteachers at 63 per cent of the schools questioned for the survey were willing to move toward the approach and 47 per cent of primary heads expected their schools to be providing some extended services, such as childcare, in the next two years. But the research showed many headteachers still need help to extend what they offer.
Anne Longfield, 4Children chief executive, said, 'The major barriers to this important change are the availability of premises, funding and with it, concerns over the sustainability of this wider offer to families and the make-up and availability of the workforce. Providing support to schools on these crucial issues will be, over the next five years, an urgent priority if we want to make the extended schools vision a reality.'
Millfields Community School in Hackney, east London, is a pro-active extended school that is open from 6.30am to 8.30pm on weekdays and 8am to 5pm on Saturdays. Along with after- school clubs, holiday playschemes and a breakfast club the school provides services including health workers, parenting support, adult training, a creche, respite care for children with special needs, and community fitness clubs.
The school advises others on extending their services. Headteacher Anna Hassan said, 'Everything needs to be totally about the children and the community and should grow because of their needs, rather than imposing services that are not needed.
'The services must be an integral part of the whole school and everyone, from the governors and head to staff and parents, has to be behind the services. The headteacher's job is changing and they can't do everything, so we have a manager in charge of the extended day.'
She added, 'We have never had recruitment and retention problems because we have linked with the workforce in the local community. Parents are able to get jobs here because they are supported and we encourage continuing professional development.'
The Extended Schools Survey is available at www.4Children.org.uk, or call 020 7512 2112.