The Crux is Youth for Christ's response to the Government desire to create a network of extended schools across the whole of England. An extended school is one that is open from 8.00am until at least 6.00pm and is able to deliver what is known as the 'core offer'.

The core offer is defined as:

  • the provision of wrap around child care
  • the provision of parental support
  • the provision of means to refer young people to the necessary support services quickly and easily
  • the provision of wider whole community access
  • the provision of a wide choice of study support activities after school.

All schools will need to be able to offer this by 2010, half by the end of 2008. The philosophy behind this vision is the need to turn the school into the heart of its community. Youth for Christ believes that the church has its place at the heart of a school that lies at the heart of community. Over the next few years the Crux will build into a resource that allows a school to meet the criteria for a wide range of study support activities. It will offer ready made programmes that can be run 5 days a week, 48 weeks a year.

By focussing on sport, the arts, IT and culture it gives a range of options that meet government recommendations.
It has been clear from the outset of these proposals that no one school is capable of delivering the core offer by itself. In fact in recent months the phrase 'delivery through schools and not by schools' has been much in use. Partnerships with competent, trusted outside bodies play a key factor in succesful delivery. The Crux is therefore designed so that it can be delivered by teaching professionals or local volunteers. It is written in such a way that with the help of accompanying DVDs the material can be used by schools workers, youth workers, parents or governors. In fact anyone who cares about providing quality youth work.

The crux is an after school club (though it can be adapted for use in lunch times or even the classroom). It is intended to run for at least one hour but can be longer. In fact if combined with a tea time meal it will also meet the core offer's category for wrap around child care.

For more information please email thecrux@yfc.co.uk.