More than 2,500 schools are now supporting children and families by offering extended services.

Beverley Hughes, Minister for Children, Young People and Families and Jim Knight, the Minister of State for Schools announced on 19 September 2006 that the target for 2,500 schools to be offering access to extended services (in partnership with voluntary and private sector providers and other organisations), by this month has been exceeded.

New evaluation published shows that these services can have significant positive effects on children, adults and families including benefits for schools in terms of improved pupil attainment and motivation and reduced exclusions.

Read the full press notice on the DfES News centre website:

• Extended services press notice