§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the Government's strategy to develop out of school and holiday schemes for 11 to 14-year-old children. [20493]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisThe Government have recognised that out-of-school-hours learning activities play a key role in developing young people and raising their attainment. "Extending Opportunity: a national framework for study support", published in 1998, set out our vision for providing more opportunities for older primary and secondary pupils to enrich their learning through out-of-school-hours learning activities. Since then £160 million has been made available through the New Opportunities Fund, including £25 million specifically for summer schools. In addition, the Department's Standards Fund has provided nearly £75 million for study support programmes this year.
The National Childcare Strategy was established to promote childcare for children aged 0–14 and for children up to age 16 with special needs. Between 1999 and 2004,–225.5 million is being made available from the New Opportunities Fund to help create new out-of-schoolhours child care in England, including breakfast, after school and holiday schemes. This can benefit all children in education, including 11 to 14-year-olds. Since 1997, through the New Opportunities Fund support and other Government support, nearly 275,000 new child care places have been set up for the 3 to 14 age range.