The way the Isle of Wight is benefiting from Extended Schools and community based learning schemes is gaining attention from across the country. A team from Isle of Wight Council including the Voluntary & Community sector attended the three day 2007 Education Show at the Birmingham NEC at the end of March. More than 16,000 visitors attended.
The team based much of their display on the way Extended Schools such as Barton Primary and Downside Middle are helping the Island and local communities. Local schemes, such as the year-round Carnival Workshops were the focus of much attention, with several authorities and organisations including the DfES and Teachers Development Agency (TDA) offering their congratulations to the team.
Other highlights from the show included international links being established with teachers in Iceland, Germany, Morocco and Nigeria, while a headteacher from Milton Keynes asked for assistance in developing extended schools. A DVD produced by ITN on how Downside Middle and Barton Primary Schools are using their extended school services to great effect was also shown to thousands of visitors.