Page 15 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • February 2008 15

Extended schools aren’t just for kids
In the Northern development, schools are filling the need for community hubs due to the lack of social
halls or public leisure centres.
Lisa Parkinson and Sandra Col- some of which can be offered free of
lis, right, work as Extended Schools charge. Adult courses in computing
Services Co-ordinators from their for beginners and art for the over
base at Moredon Primary School, 50s have just come to an end and in
with responsibility for a cluster of April a five week Food Safety course
15 schools across North Swindon for single parents will run at Abbey
including Nova Hreod and Isam- Meads Community School.
bard Community Schools. “Every community used to have a
Although based in schools, their church, a village hall and a pub but
programme of activities is not in some of the newer areas people
restricted to children. The aim of don’t have these,” said Sandra.
the Extended Schools Programme “The schools offer fantastic facili-
is to provide access for children, tie; our remit is to bring families in
parents and the wider community but we’re also targeting the older
to additional activities outside the These include social events, fam- generation.”
normal school day. ily learning and adult education,
Get crafty or learn football skills in half term
During the February break, there will be three days of children’s
activities organised by the Extended Schools service:
Tuesday 19th, 10am to 4pm.
Arsenal Soccer Schools will run a Football Fun World Cup day for 5 to
11s at Abbey Meads Community Primary School. The cost is £10 which
includes participation certificates to be awarded by a celebrity player and
Arsenal goody bags.
Wednesday 20th, 10am to 3pm.
Artsmad will offer a drop-in arts and crafts day at North Swindon Library.
The free event is open to all ages and there will be local artists helping
to create willow sculptures, drawings, paintings and murals.
Thursday 21st, 10am to 3pm.
Artsmad will be at Rodbourne Cheney Primary School for an art and
crafts workshop. The cost is £5 per child.
Booking forms for the two courses will be distributed through schools or
call Lisa Parkinson or Sandra Collis on 608199.

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