Community access

Opening up facilities to the public can help strengthen schools’ position as the ‘hub’ of community life and generate valuable income. Many schools are opening up facilities such as information and communications technology (ICT) suites and sports and arts facilities to the wider community. They are also offering space – such as their school halls – and running further education and vocational classes and adult learning programmes.

What schools should be doing:

Schools with suitable facilities, or the capacity to offer learning opportunities to the wider community, will need to assess existing provision and consult parents and carers, staff and the local community about their needs before deciding which facilities to make available for community use.

Opening up school facilities is one way a school can fulfil its obligation to promote community cohesion. Local businesses can benefit from affordable conference or ICT facilities, and the well-being of the community can be improved by making sports facilities accessible to all. Community access also helps schools ensure that they are making full use of their facilities and generating additional income.

Resources:

Useful documents on community access will be added periodically to this website. Click on the links below to download each publication.

Creating communities for learning - pilot schools which engaged with their wider communities through learning.

Promoting community cohesion - real examples of good practice on how the role of Extended Services can support schools in promoting community cohesion.

Knowing Your Community Better - practical advice and guidance on how to improve access to your school’s resources and facilities, as well as building links with the local community.

Useful links/contacts:

• Policies and practices – link to information on opening up school facilities
• Asset & Property Management Services will support schools and Voluntary Management Committees in the setting up of leases, and can be contacted on (01904) 553346.
• Planning and Development Officers are available to advise on issues surrounding any proposed letting arrangements, and can be contacted on (01904) 554271.
• Schools Business Support team can give advice on charging policies. Their helpline is (01904) 554231 (answering machine available outside office hours), and their email address is: schools.business@york.gov.uk