The first major evaluation of extended schools has found that they are raising pupil attainment and increasing levels of engagement.

Researchers from the universities of Manchester and Newcastle said therewere early signs that full-service extended schools were achievingpositive outcomes for children and their families.

The Evaluation of the Full Service Extended Schools Project: End ofFirst Year Report suggests that the benefits of extended schools willoutweigh the massive costs attached to the initiative. But it also flagsup a number of problems that will need to be overcome.

The two research teams spent a year tracking 22 full-service extendedschools, for the first phase of an extensive three-year evaluation ofthe initiative. Their report was published by the Department forEducation and Skills last week.

"There was considerable anecdotal evidence of positive outcomes fromfull-service extended schools," states the report. "These includeexamples of raised attainment, increased pupil engagement with learning,and growing trust and support between families and schools."

"There were indications that full-service provision might potentiallyintervene to break established cycles of disadvantage in some cases.None of this yet amounts to robust evidence of 'effectiveness' but itsuggests that longer-term and more wide-ranging outcomes may indeed bepossible. It is possible that the benefits of these outcomes (calculatedin terms of returns to society) will outweigh the costs."

But the report does highlight potential problems around the developmentof childcare provision and the management of extended schools. It saysthat childcare provision "created some stresses for schools and mightnot always be met with enthusiasm either by local families or bypotential partners". And it says that improper leadership "mightdistract heads and teachers from their core business of promotingachievement".

Campaigners said the report was a boost for the extended schoolsprogramme. Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said: "While itis early days and a lot of work still needs to be done, overall thefindings are evidence that extended schools benefit young people andfamilies."

Julian Piper, national programme director at ContinYou, said: "By andlarge it's a very positive report. It points to significantdevelopments. What is clear is that there are some general directionsnow that are much clearer than they were 12 months ago."

He added: "There are some key features that are essential, like makingsure that the extended school is managed properly and doesn't generateextra stress. This report shows that where those ingredients are inplace there have been encouraging signs of impact."

- www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR680.pdf.