| |
After-school services are ‘worst in capital’
WESTMINISTER has been ranked the worst in London for providing children’s after-school services.
Just over a third of pupils in the borough attend schools offering what the government terms “full core” services, which include after-hours clubs and extra-curricular activities.
The figure – 36 per cent – falls woefully short of the 60 per cent average for London as a whole and the government’s target of every child having the opportunity to access after-school services by 2010.
The revelation has been branded a “scandal” by MP Karen Buck, who obtained the figures from a question asked in Parliament.
Ms Buck has delivered a vitriolic attack on the council, accusing them of not caring about children and frittering away resources at a time when youth disorder is making the headlines. The embarrassing record comes in the wake of a spate of closures to high-profile children’s services – with three falling victim to the axe this year already.
A subsequent investigation has discovered that only two out of nine secondary schools and 17 of 41 primary schools are offering these services, which also include parental advice, support for children with special needs and provision of facilities for the local community. It means that more than 10,000 school-age children are unable to participate in activities deemed so important by children’s experts, parents and the government. Haringey is the only other local authority scoring below 40 per cent, with Havering the only one to reach the magic 100 mark.
The council has played down the ranking, claiming it is on track to meet the 50 per cent target by September.
For primary schools, the core offer means providing childcare between 8am and 6pm, five days a week, 48 weeks a year – including homework support, drama, sport and music. There is no time stipulation for over-11s, although all secondary schools must provide a “menu of study support and enrichment activities”.
Ms Buck, the MP for Regent’s Park and Kensington North, said: “The only explanations I can come to is that children are not a priority in Westminster Council and that money that should be spent on providing these services is coming off the top and being swallowed up by bureaucracy.”
She added: “These activities really are frontline services. They are the solution to the problems we have with knife crime, obesity and education standards. It is also making it very hard for parents. Some are forced to give up their jobs because they have to look after the children after school.”
Sarah Richardson, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We are on track to meet the national target of 50 per cent of our schools making the core offer, which includes after-school activities, access to childcare and support to parents by September 2008.
“Every child in the city is already in walking distance of a school that provides these services.
“Since this data was compiled, five more schools have achieved this status, meaning almost 9,000 pupils have access to these services.
“A further 18 schools already offer the varied menu of out-of-school activities – equivalent to 79 per cent of local schools.” |
 |
|
| |
| |
