Manifesto for out-of-school-hours learning gathers momentum

Citation

(2001), "Manifesto for out-of-school-hours learning gathers momentum", Education + Training, Vol. 43 No. 8/9. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2001.00443hab.005

Manifesto for out-of-school-hours learning gathers momentum

Manifesto for out-of-school-hours learning gathers momentumKeywords: Schools, Learning

More than 30 organizations are urging the Government to support the expansion of out-of-school-hours learning. A policy document – signed by organizations including the Community Education Development Centre, Youth Sport Trust and the Campaign for Learning – calls for a realistic but progressive programme which puts out-of-school-hours learning at the heart of educational expectations across the UK.

Key areas covered by the manifesto are to:

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  ensure that each institution has a guaranteed minimum regular income to develop its out-of-school-hours learning provision;

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  create more professional opportunities for teachers to benefit from their commitment to support out-of-school-hours learning activities;

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  co-ordinate the integration of out-of-school-hours learning provision across all areas of Government policy;

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  encourage the involvement, training and support of young people and volunteers from across the community;

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  develop an online database of good practice; and

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  extend the proven benefits of community learning.

Mike Walton, associate director of Education Extra, the charity which supports out-of-school-hours learning, commented: "Although much has been done in the past five years to put money, resources and training into out-of-school-hours learning, many of our most deprived children, schools and communities still find it difficult to get funds, training and resources which will deliver these opportunities. The benefits of out-of-school-hours learning are clear. It is central to the health and well being of the young person, the family and the community, and plays a significant role in raising achievement and combating social exclusion."