I am very pleased to be asked by Middlesbrough Borough Council, and by the community of Easterside, to perform the launch of the Extended School Pathfinder Project for the Easterside area.

Now that is a real mouthful!

But the project is a real and worthy one.

The ‘pathfinder’ – as I’ll call it for short - is a government funded programme.

A programme which aims to integrate schools within their host community.

And, indeed, to bring the schools serving that community together.

To bring them together to serve the needs of the school children, parents and the entire local community.

Here in Easterside, the programme involves;

• Easterside Primary School
• St Thomas More Roman Catholic Primary School
• Holmwood School
• And the Sure Start programme covering Easterside, Beechwood and Grove Hill.

In all cases, the programme recognises the unique skills and talents in each school and in Sure Start.
The pathfinder has already had some early ‘wins’.

The out of school and childcare package managed by Skittles Childcare.

And walkways between the three school sites.

All the schools have benefited from new facilities.

• A child care centre here at St Thomas More.
• A new disabled toilet block and entrance at Easterside Primary.
• And a new Sports Hall and Dance Studio at Holmwood.

So we are seeing new facilities that will both stand local children in good stead, and will become good community leisure assets

This is a brave programme and a good one.

It recognises the stress the Government are putting on early years provision.

And it complements the mainstream provision being made to all the participating schools

And indeed to all the schools in the Borough.

So thank you for coming and I am sure we will enjoy an exciting morning !