After-class film clubs at Dalston school

By Kelly Eve Education reporter

Last updated 07:41, Tuesday, 11 November 2008

A new film club opened this week for pupils at a Cumbrian secondary school.

Caldew School in Dalston runs its club every Monday after classes finish and is free to pupils who register.

Youngsters are able to choose which films they want to watch in future as part of the school scheme run in conjunction across the country with DVD distributor Love Film.

It is part of Caldew’s efforts to become an extended school, offering activities until 6pm to help working parents.

More clubs have been launched recently at other schools, including a squash club for pupils at James Rennie School in Carlisle.

The number of extended schools in the Carlisle area continues to grow with new Government figures showing that families are on average just under two miles away from an extended school.

Earlier this year it was revealed three-quarters of Cumbrian primary schools operate extended hours and clubs.

Petteril Bank became Carlisle’s first extended community school in 2004 after securing £1.3m funding.

The county’s secondary schools are even better, with 79 per cent taking part compared to the national figure of 67 per cent.

Nationally, two-thirds of schools are classed as providing extra activities. The Government target is that all should be by 2010.