Standards Fund 1.6 Extended Schools
Additional Support for Schools

This is to inform you that the Schools' Forum has approved the recommendation to allocate the 2009/10 funding of £816,305 directly to clusters of schools based on a per capita basis. To take into account the varying size of each cluster, it was agreed that the money would be allocated as follows:

£10,000 for each of the 45 clusters	= £450,000
Plus £3.40 per pupil (based on January 2009 NOR of 107,535)	= £366,305
Total	= £816,305

The money was distributed through the treasurer of the cluster and was included in the day one budget share. To access information on the cluster allocations, please click here.

This will give clusters funding for 2009/10:

	To support/engender collaboration between cluster schools and partners in regard to the extended services/ECM agenda
	To continue to support the role of a cluster extended schools co-ordinator (this has proved to be a valuable use of the funding as the majority of clusters have found this role is a good way to co-ordinate and manage the extended schools agenda)
	To support community consultation and the ongoing assessment of community needs;
	To contribute to resource setting-up costs for new activities.

The allocation of funding to clusters:

	Implies liaison and schools collaborating together - schools can use existing arrangements to minimise workload implications;
	Provides a reasonable sum to develop or continue to develop extended services for the wider cluster community
	Will need clear, open and accessible administration and it is advised that a general outline spending plan is developed and shared before funds are deployed.

Note: The funding may NOT be used to subsidise activities although it could be used for setting-up costs.

It is essential that schools continue working closely with their LA area based Early Years, Childcare and Extended Schools Development Workers who will be best able to provide expertise and guidance on the continued development of extended services/activities and particularly as they are aware of what provision is already available in localities and where there may be gaps.

Parent Support Advisers
Following on from the expansion of the successful Parent Support Adviser pilot and deployment across clusters, there will also be funding provided to enable each cluster to continue to employ or to appoint a Parent Support Adviser. Total funding allocated directly to clusters of schools is £1,043,235.

In you have any query on the above, please contact:

For Extended Schools - Peter Simmonds, School Workforce Performance and Development Manager on 07795 265669 or by email; or Virginia Wakely, School Performance and Development Officer on 01603 638092 or by email.

For Parent Support Advisers - Beverley Bird, Parent Support Adviser Co-ordinator by email; or Julie Westrop, Senior Adviser and PSA Lead; on 01603 433276, ext 180 or by email.