School's out: but open until 6.00pm

Schools will open from 8.00am to 6.00pm in a bid to help working parents, Charles Clarke has announced.

The education secretary detailed the plan for a 10-hour school day in a speech to the childcare charity 4Children on Wednesday.

Ministers say after school clubs have proven popular and can lift parents off benefits and into employment by allowing parents to work a full nine to five day.

They want to extend the system, often run on a voluntary basis, across the primary school system.

Clarke conceded that the policy would take time to implement - and vowed to set out a more detailed package later in the year.

"It will take time for all schools to make an extended schools offer to their parents - either on their own or in partnership with other schools close by," he said.

"But we want it to happen and we will be providing practical help, training, capital funding as well as some revenue support to help roll out the strategy across the country and to make a reality of a childcare guarantee for parents."

Overhaul

The move is the most radical overhaul of the school day since the introduction of numeracy and literacy hours.

Ministers also believe the approach will help tackle the growing obesity problem by providing exercise and good food.

However teaching unions will warned that the move will need to be properly resourced.

The announcement has been welcomed by 4Children.

The charity's chief executive Anne Longfield said ministers should press ahead with the policy.

"This is the big one. Schools and parents are in love with the concept," she said.

"It maximises the potential of children in a way that enables parents to go out to work. It is redesigning what a school is for."

Steve Sinnott, general secretary, of the TUC said the government should not rush into applying the idea across the entire schools system without further consultation.

"The government’s decision to expand the provision of schools offering a full range of community services will be welcomed by teachers across the country," he said.

"Crucial to extended schools must be the availability of social services and psychological support to help vulnerable children. Immediate help for children in such need can make all the difference.

"Teachers must be at the centre of deciding whether or not to become an extended school. Imposition is entirely inappropriate for such an initiative."

The GMB's national secretary Brian Strutton added: "This is an interesting development which will see many children benefiting from spending extra time at school. We give the move a wary welcome.

"The downside is that hard-pressed school support staff will again be expected to stretch their goodwill further by working even longer hours.

"The loyalty of support staff, who contribute so much to the success of the nation's schooling, should be recognised with improved pay and regulated hours."

Children's centres

Clarke also detailed plans to develop a network of children's centres to serve all children under five in the 20 per cent most deprived wards in England.

He went on to say that the government's "ultimate goal" is to see the network extended to every community in the country.

Meanwhile a report released on Wednesday by the Child Poverty Action Group found that school meals require more action from government.

It says ministers must intervene if they are to ensure a healthy and nutritious diet is eaten by children.