Community Use of Schools
Providing community use of facilities on your school site for a range of activities, not just sport, during and after the school day, at evenings, weekends and holidays has a number of proven positive outcomes that benefits both the school and local community it serves, including:
- Higher levels of pupil achievement and engagement - leading to improved learning, attendance and behaviour and raising aspiration
- Closer relationship between school and community - particularly engaging parents/carers
- Enhanced partnership working between school and community - providing both school and community with variety and diversity of opportunities
- Reduced vandalism and/or crime on the school site and in the surrounding community - cost saving, increased reputation/PR for school within local community
- Reinforces the role of a school being at the heart of a community
Research conducted by organisations including OFSTED has concluded that providing further opportunities such as community use supports personal, social and emotional development and helps mental and physical well being of pupils.
This is reinforced through the government’s public health white paper which states ‘Good schools understand well the connection between pupils’ physical and mental health their safety and their educational attainment.’ (Public health white paper section 3.14). By also offering opportunities to the community you will also be engaging with parents/carers and other family members of your pupils, who in turn support their children, your pupils.
Given the diversity and range of schools in the Kent, as well as the facilities and resources that schools can offer to their local community, providing community use for activity could be a great opportunity for your school as has already been with the few examples highlighted above.
Links
Community Use information from Sport England
