This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New approach to schools brings benefits
07/08/2002
A study published today has found the new community school approach brings considerable benefits to young people.
The involvement of young people has increased, partnership working across different agencies has been substantially enhanced and projects have attracted additional funding, according to interim results from the evaluation of the first phase of the New Community School (NCS) pilot programme.
The New Community Schools programme - initially piloted in 1999 - aims to raise educational standards and promote social inclusion, and in particular to help disadvantaged young people achieve their full potential. Teachers, social workers, family workers, health personnel and others work together to develop services centred on the needs of children and their families.
Phase 1 of the pilot programme was concentrated in disadvantaged areas and involved 37 projects covering 170 schools and institutions. The evaluation shows that the projects led to increased education, health and social policy activity in schools. This resulted in, for example, involvement of family support workers, promotion of healthy eating, drugs and smoking awareness, and greater use of early intervention and study support.
Health trusts and boards, social work services, and other agencies contributed additional funding and support. The study found evidence of increased provision of extra-curricular activities, pupil councils and other means of involving young people.
Welcoming the study, Minister for Education and Young People Cathy Jamieson said:
"The new community school approach is at the heart of our strategy for closing the attainment gap. By integrating the services provided by the various agencies to ensure that the needs of all children are met, we can make a real difference to their lives.
"These interim findings confirm that, even in the earliest stages, significant benefits for children, schools and agencies can be secured. They will inform and stimulate progress as we continue to roll out the approach to all schools in Scotland."
The Scottish Executive commissioned the Institute of Education, University of London to carry out a national evaluation of phase 1 of the NCS pilot programme. The survey has involved questionnaires for schools involved in all the 37 phase 1 pilot projects, as well as five case studies.
The final evaluation, due next summer, will look at progress over the full three years of the pilot projects and will report on the views and experiences of young people and their families.
The Scottish Executive is making £37.2m available to support the full NCS pilot programme, which covers 62 projects and over 400 schools. A further £30.6m is being provided over 2002/03 and 2003/04 to support the roll out of the new community school approach to all schools in Scotland.
Copies of Interchange 76: National Evaluation of the New Community Schools Pilot Programme in Scotland: Phase 1: Interim Findings can be obtained from:
Or by telephoning Education and Young People Research Unit on phone: 0131 244 0634.