Extend your ICT with extended schools funding

In support of the target that all schools will offer full-time, year round childcare by 2010, the DCSF has announced a massive investment of more than £1 billion in the extended schools programme over the next three years.

Schools can provide extended services themselves, or deliver them in partnership with other schools or voluntary and community organisations, before and after the school day. The £1.1 billion will fund capital projects and running costs to ensure that by 2010 all schools can offer extended services to children such as homework clubs, additional sport and music tuition, and clubs for drama and ICT.

This means that some of the funding schools receive for this initiative could be used to bolster schools’ existing ICT provision.

First year allocations of the £1.1 billion are starting to be released to schools and local authorities as part of their General Sure Start Grants and Standards Fund.

What do you think about this initiative? How are you addressing extended schools and ICT?