Out of School Hours Learning

Supporting Out Schools Hours Learning (OSHL)

Key roles

To achieve maximum impacts, OSHL needs to be supported at a range of levels.

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Local authorities

Senior managers in local authorities can provide appropriate support and challenge to schools:  

  • communicating a clear strategic direction where OSHL is embedded in wider approaches to planning, implementation and evaluation
  • enabling the development of relationships with partners and multi-agency approaches to planning and delivery of OSHL
  • establishing a transparent policy framework to support the delivery of OSHL
  • providing opportunities for those involved in delivery of OSHL to share practice and further develop the provision of OSHL
  • putting in place systems of quality assurance and review across the authority.

Lead officers

Lead officers, generally working at local authority level, play a driving role in the planning, implementation and evaluation of OSHL. Although organised in different ways across the country key players will include (not exhaustively) OSHL or Study Support Co-ordinators, Active Schools Co-ordinators, Cultural Co-ordinators and Sports Co-ordinators. They will:  

  • develop co-ordinated and connected approaches to resourcing and delivering OSHL activities through multi-agency planning, implementation and evaluation
  • communicate a clear vision for OSHL and provide advice and guidance to those involved in direct delivery, likely to include:
    • classroom teachers and assistants
    • school and community librarians
    • art gallery and museum staff
    • community learning and development staff
    • youth workers
    • music and instrument instructors
    • social workers and care staff for young people who are looked after and accommodated
    • parents and senior school students
    • volunteers and community members
    • review the spread and range of provision ensuring that no particular areas or groups of young people are neglected
    • provide opportunities for young people and parents to become involved in shaping provision
    • act on evaluation evidence and feedback to continuously improve OSHL provision.

Schools

Head teachers and senior management teams can play a vital role in ensuring that the benefits of OSHL are realised, by:  

  • developing OSHL as part of a whole school approach, for example including OSHL in the school development plan, school handbook and annual report
  • working in partnership with other agencies such as social work, community education, local business, etc, to resource and provide a range of activities for young people
  • involving pupils, parents and the community in developing, delivering and evaluating OSHL
  • designating responsibility for OSHL to a member of the senior management team
  • recognising and celebrating achievement.