School closing breakfast and after school

[Collaborate]

Seven months ago the board of governors at my children's primary school gave notice to the external extended school provider that they wouldn't renew their contract beyond this academic year. This week some bright spark had the idea that the parents (roughly a quarter of the school) should be told. There will be a hastily arranged meeting next week.

As far as I am aware, there are no plans in place to replace it. I suspect they might have planned to run their own scheme, but as far as I can see those plans haven't progressed. The LEA know nothing about it anyway, and if the school wants to run it's own scheme they'd have to seek prior LEA approval.

I have been busy this week researching the subject. From what I can gather, they have a duty to consult the parents over this. The Department for Education encourages schools to offer wrap around care, and I have a statement from Beverley Smith saying that the plan was to have all schools offering this by 2010.

I am hoping to be told at the meeting that they know they've cocked it up, are very sorry, and will ask the external provider to do another year whilst they consult with the parents about what plans they might have. I've asked for minutes of relevant governors meetings (I understand the governors merely approved the proposal, which was made by the Head) and hopefully when (or if) I see them I'll understand why on earth they thought it sensible to meddle with a service that scored 1s and 2s in it's OFSTED report. I fear however that will not be the case.

Does anyone have any ideas about schools responsibilities in this area that might be able to help me at the meeting? It promises to be quite interesting (!)

[prh47bridge]

The last government set a target that all primary schools would offer access to childcare from 8am to 6pm for 48 weeks a year by 2010. The school could provide this themselves, through the LA or in partnership with local providers. However, if consultation showed that this childcare was not needed the school did not have to provide it. Many do not provide anything or only have minimal provision. My local primary school, for example, has clubs before and after school during term time plus some kind of holiday provision. These clubs meet on school premises but are provided independently of the school and parents have to pay if their children attend these clubs. They have limited places available so only around 10% of the children in the school can make use of them. This provision meets the target set by the last government.

The Education Act 2002 requires the governors to consult before providing extended services such as wraparound care (section 28). There does not appear to be a specific requirement to consult before withdrawing such services, although it would certainly make sense for them to do so, especially given that such a high proportion of the school community are involved.

[Collaborate]

I've come across DoE guidance that states they also have to consult re changes. The club is over subscribed. I suspect that no one's done a feasibility study about taking over it themselves. Would have thought this would be essential if they want to run it as a business themselves.