Building our own after school club

bluebell8329 · 2023-01-19T11:59:53+00:00

Hi hopefully this the right place for this thread Has anyone got any experience of a community build? Or something like it? Currently at our school we have a prefab in need of renovation and refurbishment. This was planned to be used as an after school club provision but due to lack of funds and get up and go, the school aren’t moving anywhere fast. A lot of the parents work in construction so between us we are aiming to get this done and ready for the school through fundraising and personal work but not really sure where to start. Anyone got any ideas/helps/tips that they could give us?

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PathOfLeastResitance · 20/01/2023 07:03

You will need to speak to the school first.

PaintByLetters · 20/01/2023 07:57

You're not going to make any friends accusing the school of not having any get up and go...
Are you aware of the crisis in school funding and how burnt out staff are working over hours to educate your kids? The teachers who are funding classroom equipment out of their own pockets? The schools having to run food banks to try and make sure kids eat between Friday and Monday?
Think about your tone.

GolfForBrains · 20/01/2023 08:17

Lack of funds kills any get up and go, becauae you can't!

Beees · 20/01/2023 08:21

Well it's a redundant idea to be honest as if they haven't got the funds to complete the work they also won't have the funds to employ people to run the after school club.

You don't actually sound like you're that keen on the school. They like almsoy every other school simply have no money this is not a problem of having no get up and go.

Hoppinggreen · 20/01/2023 08:22

It doesn’t matter if you build it unless you have a very clear plan on how to run it as well.

Mycatisasleep · 20/01/2023 08:29

I'm so surprised at how negative everyone is. No wonder UK productivity is so low if the first thing people can say is don't bother 🤦‍♀️

I know how difficult it can be when you can't get childcare and admire your efforts and I dont know the school if they have get up and go of whatever.

I think working with the school. Have a constructive conversation with them. Talk to the PTA and chair of governors to find the best way to raise funds. Also see if you can get a meeting with another similar provision and seek their ideas and understand how they did it.

At the same time in some areas after school provision is run in nurseries,community centres etc... It's worth exploring whether any of these buildings might work and/or seeing if existing providers can extend their provision.

Best of luck and ignore the negativity ❤️

Whinge · 20/01/2023 08:31

Huge numbers of after school clubs run within schools have been closing in recent years. There just isn't the same level of demand as there was in the past. Many parents are now WFH / flexible working so can collect at the end of the school day, and costs such as staffing and food have risen while school funds are running dry.

It's also an unappealing job due to the hours, so even if you built the ASC there's no guarantee you'll find anyone to run it. Even if you add before school care, it's usually 7.30am - 9.30am and then 2.30pm - 5/30 / 6pm. Finding someone who wants to work those hours is incredibly difficult.

Mycatisasleep · 20/01/2023 08:50

Whinge · 20/01/2023 08:31

Huge numbers of after school clubs run within schools have been closing in recent years. There just isn't the same level of demand as there was in the past. Many parents are now WFH / flexible working so can collect at the end of the school day, and costs such as staffing and food have risen while school funds are running dry.

It's also an unappealing job due to the hours, so even if you built the ASC there's no guarantee you'll find anyone to run it. Even if you add before school care, it's usually 7.30am - 9.30am and then 2.30pm - 5/30 / 6pm. Finding someone who wants to work those hours is incredibly difficult.

Good points. I think on demand though it depends on the area. Where I live housing costs are high and both parents are usually working often full time. Breakfast club is heavily subscribed but run at the schools themselves. After-school club is oversubscribed for some schools but not usually Fridays.

You're right though I think you have to do your research and finding staff is challenging.

snowtrees · 20/01/2023 09:05

Our wrap around is big and always full. But it's one thing building it and another to run it. Maybe ask around private providers and see if anyone would

TheTeenageYears · 20/01/2023 09:22

Speak to the school to find out if they are happy for a charity to be established for an after school provision and decide on the link to school. Form a committee, organise the works, find someone to run the provision. Did it with a community preschool years ago.

FairyBatman · 20/01/2023 10:22

If it was a project I was taking on my starting point would be.

Demand - survey of parents to understand demand and what they would be willing to pay.

Long term provision - it's one thing to build it and another to run it. Is there a provider that would be interested in running it long term; and crucially do they consider the demand to be sustainable in the long term.

Once you have this you can put together a case and understand what type of facility is needed and how many people will benefit and you can use this to apply for funding.

If you approach your local CVS there will be funding that you can access based on inclusion (getting parents into work) health (sport activities and health snacks) etc. There are also great funding streams to tap into based on holiday hunger programmes if it would be possible to offer places to the wider community I. Holiday time.

Hoppinggreen · 20/01/2023 11:16

The overall message here seems to be that while you will need to repair the building if this goes ahead there are a lot of other things to do before you even consider that.
Do you have the necessary “get up and go” to do them?

Toomanyminifigs · 21/01/2023 12:33

I have been involved in projects like this. I warn you - it becomes a full time job to run but it can be very rewarding.

You need to have a meeting with the school. It's absolutely vital that you work together on this.

As others have said, you will need someone to run the numbers to see if there would be enough take up - do your research, find out what other after school provision there is out there - how much they cost, are they full.
There's also the issue of insurance, providing snacks for the kids, toys, fuel bills etc. In my DS's school, some of the support staff ran the afterschool provision for extra money so that could be an option.

The other option would be to see if there's an external provider who would be interested in running it if the school could provide the facilities. This removes a lot of the headaches for a school.

In terms of the build: does your school have a PTA? If so, are they a registered charity? If they are, you may not have to pay VAT on the building materials/labour. The other option is to get the school to sign off the expenditure (as they don't pay VAT) and then they can invoice your group for the work.

There are various grants you can apply for if you're a registered charity. The national lottery run one and your local council will also have community grants you can apply for.
You will have to put together a 'pitch' and there will need to be a community element to the proposal. You could speak to the school about renting the space out at weekends for parties or adult classes - which can also bring in revenue. Something like a toddler stay and play would also satisfy the community element. Or as another poster said, types of outreach community work.

Also, just so you're aware - if you do get any funding, you will need to provide them with three independent quotes to prove you've got best value and they will want to see invoices etc. There are also monitoring reports you will have to fill in.

Original poster

bluebell8329 · 23/01/2023 12:10

Apologies for my original tone.
I am aware of the crisis in school funding and how under pressure that staff are etc.
Maybe I should have explained more.
On more than one occasion we, as parents, have gone to the school to ask about an after school provision but the main reason is that they do not have the space to have one as the building which was going to be used isn't suitable now and needs renovating, the school hall is already used for clubs after school such as music, chess etc.
The staffing levels aren't a problem, it's just the building space, which is why I asked my original query.

The school already has a breakfast club which is run by the teaching assistants.

Thanks to all of the other replies advising on how is best to go about it and all of the helpful advice that we can take forward and put towards the PTA/school.
Really appreciate it.

OP posts:

TizerorFizz · 23/01/2023 15:00

When my LA stopped providing cooked lunches, they provided some money to repurpose kitchens. Often this wasn’t enough and schools wanted better use of the space. Therefore quite a lot of PTAs raised money for additional work. We actually raised money for an extension for a computer room. Your ideas are far less onerous! However you will need to ensure the building meets all the requirements for use by children, including toilets.

Original poster

bluebell8329 · 23/01/2023 21:17

Mycatisasleep · 20/01/2023 08:29

I'm so surprised at how negative everyone is. No wonder UK productivity is so low if the first thing people can say is don't bother 🤦‍♀️

I know how difficult it can be when you can't get childcare and admire your efforts and I dont know the school if they have get up and go of whatever.

I think working with the school. Have a constructive conversation with them. Talk to the PTA and chair of governors to find the best way to raise funds. Also see if you can get a meeting with another similar provision and seek their ideas and understand how they did it.

At the same time in some areas after school provision is run in nurseries,community centres etc... It's worth exploring whether any of these buildings might work and/or seeing if existing providers can extend their provision.

Best of luck and ignore the negativity ❤️

Thank you ❤️

OP posts:

FlawlessSquid · 20/02/2023 09:52

Such a good thing you are doing for your school. Good luck & hopefully your school would be appreciative.

Kokeshi123 · 20/02/2023 14:03

PaintByLetters · 20/01/2023 07:57

You're not going to make any friends accusing the school of not having any get up and go...
Are you aware of the crisis in school funding and how burnt out staff are working over hours to educate your kids? The teachers who are funding classroom equipment out of their own pockets? The schools having to run food banks to try and make sure kids eat between Friday and Monday?
Think about your tone.

God, some people on here are rude and prickly. The OP is trying to suggest a practical solution and proposing to give up some of her time to do this. It's depressing to see her met with comments like this, as though the only correct response to the current problems in education is "Sit in a darkened room crying about it."

snowtrees · 21/02/2023 09:00

A mobile classroom is another solution.

SusiePevensie · 21/02/2023 10:36

It's a great idea.

Things to think about: cost of fixing and maintaining building; cost of paying staff; difficulty of recruiting (think in particular about how many level 3 staff you will need); how can you provide a service to all kids including SEN; are you offering an FSM discount; are you covering breakfast, afterschool, holidays, inset days; do you have a nearby university that can provide you with playworkers (hours can work well); is there an umbrella afterschool club org locally that can give you advice; registering with Ofsted; safeguarding - is it a safe site?; do you have access to outdoors; are you providing food; how you picking up kids from school; are kids all in tpgether or are you splitting juniors and infants - am assuming primary - you will get a lot more infants; getting a payment structure in place - how are people booking in and giving you cash - what if they don't cough up; are you accepting childcare vouchers; having a half decent website to explain what is up; do you have the reserves to wind up and pay out pensions if relevant - this is big, could be talking tens of thousands; if holiday club are there local amenities (park, library, etc... that you could use); conversely can you hire out space to others when not using?

Figure out costs and timings bottom up and then add 30% to both is always good advice. Your estimates will be overoptimistic. Everyone's estimates are always always overoptimistic.

It's also worth thinking about what your underlying philosophy is. Do you want to run a play-based and freeflow club? An extra schoolwork one? A sporty one?

Depressingly, the biggest question of all is - can the parents afford it. A reasonable starting point might be £10 for each day after school, £5 ditto breakfast club, £35 holiday club day. Do you live somewhere where even in current clusterfuck enough parents can afford that?

gabster33 · 23/02/2023 11:45

Our school has combined the clubs provision with the after school. All kids are offered the clubs as priority which gives them an activity till 4.30 then after school mainly kicks in after that. Same mainly school support staff (with other external clubs) running them.

Just an idea which deals with those that don't want pure after school - boosts the school to have a big clubs offering. Pupil premium get free clubs spaces too.

Hihosilver123 · 25/02/2023 09:32

The bottom line here is that any development of the school estate and/or provision is up to the school. They are the only ones who know the full details of the budget, the school’s need and the strategic leadership of the school. Any building project has to be managed by the school which would include proper pro cement procedures. It’s lovely that parents are keen to help but the first step would be to meet with the school to offer that help, but not be pushy and take control.

Original poster

bluebell8329 · 28/02/2023 08:41

snowtrees · 21/02/2023 09:00

A mobile classroom is another solution.

That's a really good idea!

OP posts:

snowtrees · 28/02/2023 09:02

It's a much more versatile idea. Low maintenance. Can be used for other things too.

MrWhippersnapper · 28/02/2023 09:13

Who’s going to pay the staff to run it ?