Howard Kennedy, director for change at the Training and Development Agency for Schools, told delegates at last week's Extended Schools and Children's Centres conference, 'Leadership development around extended schools is being explored. Extra training is required to cope with the additional challenges of extended schools and children's centres.'
Responding to delegates' concerns over a lack of a coherent strategy for multi-agency working, children's minister Beverley Hughes told the conference, 'We do recognise support is needed, but it cannot be dictated by central Government, it has to be worked out at local level because otherwise it will not work. For example, in the northwest of England where I live, local authorities are joining forces to develop templates for joint working.'
Ms Hughes would not give any firm commitment over continued funding for children's centres and extended schools, but said, 'It's the number one priority for the DfES. We've made promises that extend to 2010, and I can't think that we are a Government to renege on something we care so passionately about. I am confident we will get the funding to further develop resources.'
