Local authorities can play a vital role in encouraging and supporting the development of extended services in rural areas. Rural schools may need extra support, particularly at a strategic level, to develop key services, such as high-quality childcare, and to provide flexible transport, so that pupils, parents and members of the community can access extended services.
The rural pathfinder project
The Agency’s rural pathfinder project involved consultation with local authorities and schools in Shropshire, Cheshire, Dorset and Norfolk, sharing practice and working through a change programme. With our support, the local authority teams identified key challenges, shared solutions and good practice strategies for service delivery. The teams covered areas such as transport, flexible service delivery, cluster and multi-agency working, engaging the community and voluntary sector, and stakeholder commitment.
