Schools could be kept open all year round as 'community hubs'

MORE than 160 schools could be opened up to wider use in a move expected to improve communities and better children’s educational results.

If the scheme is approved by Sheffield Council, the city’s 27 secondary and 135 primary schools will be included in a plan to make use of facilities beyond the end of the school day and during the 13 weeks every year they are closed for holidays.

It is accepted there would be costs involved in keeping buildings open, partly because of the need to restrict unauthorised public access, and so far there are no estimates of those expenses.

However, Sheffield Council’s ruling cabinet is being asked to adopt the policy of using schools as ‘community hubs’ because of the wide range of benefits envisaged from that change.

According to a council report, school buildings could be used for providing a broader range of social and educational services to both children and families, including adult learning, parenting support and help for those with additional needs.

Some schools already have some wider community use, but the council is keen to adopt a uniform community policy across the board.

The report states: “This will bring multiple benefits including higher attainment by children and young people, stronger communities including better inter-generational links, and support to thriving district centres.

“All school leaders will be encouraged to take forward plans to realise this vision.”

If the policy is adopted, it may not mean an immediate change.

Delays could be caused by the need to find money to meet the costs of extended opening hours, possibly from pooling the resources of different bodies which would make use of the buildings.

It might also be necessary to make structural changes to existing buildings.

“It will be important to take opportunities to reduce additional costs wherever possible by undertaking design and building works to enable community use at the same time as school refurbishments, expansions or rebuilds,” states the report.

Potential new schemes could include the use of Forge Valley school as a base for the British Cycling Federation to create a regional site for its Traffic Free Cycle Sports facilities.

The federation would put in half of the costs of creating a community club and the Sheffield and Hallamshire Football Development Plan also has the school earmarked as a potential site for a club.

It is expected a wide range of public services will be available at the new Parkwood academy, including adult learning, debt counselling, sexual health advice and mental health counselling.

Rural schools, including Stocksbridge and Bradfield, are seen as important centres which can make a significant contribution to those communities.

Some schools already provide services beyond the traditional boundaries, with secondaries and their feeder primaries already working as ‘families’ in parts of the city.

“In the south east of the city, Woodthorpe Primary is a good example of a school offering access to extended services,” states the report.

“It is community focused, welcoming and feels owned by its pupils and the community.

“Since the parents are seeing a different side to the school, there’s also a knock-on effect and the general change in attitude.

“Parents and the community are starting to see the value of the school to them as adults.

“More parents will now ask for help with qualifications so they can get into work or for help with finances, tax credits or other barriers they are experiencing. This focus has supported improved attainment.”