After-school club thrives (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

After-school club thrives

AS plans unfold to keep primary schools open for 10 hours a day, a thriving North Swindon homework club is proof that after-school learning works.

The club has become so popular that some of the children opt to do homework before playing computer games after they return from school.

Michelle John, support tutor of the Support Our Kids club (SOKS), said: "I don't think children are too tired to work after school.

"As long as they are in a stimulating environment, I think it does them good.

"They bring their homework down here and we work through it together."

The club featured on Sky News's Sunrise programme earlier this week because it is leading the way in after-school activities.

The club is part of Swindon Learning Partnership and initially ran from September to December.

It was such a success that it returned five weeks ago and has been well-attended ever since.

Dad Mukesh Varma of Nine Elms takes his 12-year-old son Mohit, a pupil at Bradon Forest school, to the club.

Mr Varma said: "Since bringing my son here, he now comes home from school and asks to do his homework rather than playing on the computer or watching TV.

"There are lots of resources here and I know he will be safe and have help at hand if he needs it."

The club is supported by librarians at the North Swindon library in the Orbital Retail Park off Thamesdown Drive.

The children also have free access to the internet.

Most of the children who attend the club are from Herod Parkway, Bradon Forest, Moredon, Peatmoor and St Joseph's schools.

According to Ms John, the club is busiest after 5pm.

She said: "It's good fun. I can see the difference in some of the children since the first time they came.

"Their confidence has really increased.

"If they are working on something that interests them, it makes a huge difference."

The club is open to children aged between nine and 16 years old.

According to reports earlier this week, Labour is planning to offer every working parent 10 hours a day guaranteed childcare for youngsters between the ages of three and 11 by keeping primary schools open from 8am until 6pm.

It is thought such a plan would cost £3 billion a year.

SOKS is free of charge and runs every Wednesday from 4.30pm until 7.30pm at the North Swindon library at the Orbital Retail Park off Thamesdown Drive.

The club will be open during half-term next week when children will be designing T-shirts. Anyone wishing to attend should call 01793 463261 in advance.

elidbury@newswilts.co.uk