''Extended schools'' webchat
On 10 October 2005, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly participated in a live online Question & Answer session on the Guardian website.
The topic of this webchat session was extended schools - the Government's long-term vision of placing schools at the heart of the community, offering a range of services between 8.00am and 6.00pm.
There is no set formula to what services will be offered in individual schools - they will be largely dependent on the needs of children, parents and the wider community. In general terms, services are likely to include childcare, breakfast, after school clubs and use of school facilities for a range of physical, artistic and educational activities.
The Education Secretary, who recently announced £680million of funding for the project, answered your pertinent questions on both the challenges and opportunities that the extended schools vision will provide.
Ruth Kelly was online for one hour - you can 
view the Question and Answer session
here
.
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