After-school clubs 'like school'

Ruth Kelly says clubs are already working well in many schools

After-school clubs should not become an extension of the classroom, a childcare expert has warned.

Senior educational psychologist Dr Christopher Arnold said ministers and schools should think carefully about the type of childcare such clubs offer.

Research into three after-school clubs found over one third of children likened them to the classroom.

The government wants such "wraparound" services in England's schools from 0800 until 1800, to help working parents.

School routines

Dr Arnold said if children were to be looked after by schools, it was important to consider the type of childcare they would receive there.

He said the clubs could work, as long as they felt more like home.

"After-school clubs are going to happen and they should be the best they can be," he said.

"If they are used to rehearse getting children through Sats tests this would not be an appropriate."

A large majority of children - 85% - said they did enjoy the clubs, although some said the choice of activities was limited and they did not have the option to relax.

Children were asked if they liked the clubs, who decided the activities available, and how they described the role of the adults in charge.

When asked who decided what she did, one 14-year-old girl replied: "No-one, I just have to do my homework."

A six-year-old boy said he enjoyed going to the club "but would rather go home".

And another eight-year-old girl said she did not like going to the club because she missed her mother.

Choices

Dr Arnold, senior educational psychologist at Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in the West Midlands, spoke to around 70 children at three after-school clubs in the borough.

He said initial findings suggested strong links with the routines and choices associated with the classroom.

"Some children are enjoying these clubs", he said. "But they need to be arranged differently to school.

He said more choices needed to be built in and children should have more control over what they could do - including the option to relax, chat or do nothing.

"We cannot give children a 10-hour working day from 0800 until 1800 - that would be illegal."

Restrictions

Where school staff such as lunchtime supervisors and assistants were running the clubs, children may associate them with the restrictions of school.

But he added the initial findings were positive, with a minority of children saying they would rather not attend the clubs.

Earlier this year the Education Secretary, Ruth Kelly, announced new funding for schools to begin setting up extended school services, and encouraged volunteers and the private sector to get involved in providing activities such as sport and art.

But teaching staff would not be involved in the clubs, which many schools already operate, she said.

However, some teaching unions have raised concerns that head teachers will have to take on extra responsibility for children's welfare after they leave the classroom.