Meet Clare - Our Founder and Director
Clare created School's Out so that children would have a fun and safe space to play, meet friends and belong.
Since graduating from Edinburgh University in 2000; BA Community Education, Clare has worked in senior roles in both the Third Sector, Local and National Government throughout Scotland, Northern Ireland and Germany empowering communities for the benefit of children, young people and families.
With a Level 9 in Leadership, PDA Childhood Practice & PgD Restorative Practice, Clare brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and experiences to run quality Out of School Care services for school- aged children.
OUR HISTORY
2014 - Our Community Interest Company Perceptive Action (CIC) was established. A community development company identifying needs within our local community, committed to using a solution focussed mind-set and taking practical steps to respond. During this time we saw an alteration to Scottish Borders Council (SBC) education policy that established an asymmetric school week, this had an immediate impact on family’s ability to work on Friday afternoons. Following intensive community consultations we recognised the wider concerns of parents regarding costs, availability and flexibility of Out of School Care (OOSC) in the local area. School’s Out Peebles was launched as a Care Inspectorate registered service in April 2015.
2017 – Our founding mission statement was complimented in consultation with children, staff and families encompassing a value statement that runs throughout our organisation. “At School’s Out we value child centered play and positive relationships above all else. By working together with children, families, staff and local communities, we will provide a caring, flexible and inclusive out of school experience for all”.
2020 – Immediately after the COVID pandemic, a Penicuik parent pitched the idea of taking our model to our adjacent town. As a large and growing commuter population with a plethora of primary school needs – led OOSC was in short supply. We opened in 2021 to provide 24 spaces to local families, in 2023 our competitor suddenly closed their doors resulting in us now offering 72 OOSC places across two settings in the Penicuik area.
2022 – Clovenfords PTA contacted us in 2022 having carried our parent’s surveys in their local school. It showed an obvious need for flexible, affordable OOSC. We worked with the PTA and proudly opened School’s Out Clovenfords in April 2023.
2023 – With growing demand in Peebles, our registration was increased from 32-52 spaces in August 2023.
2024 – In June of 2024 we were offered the opportunity to take over a popular and longstanding OOSC in Melrose. The parent run service were finding the regulatory demands coupled with staff recruitment and retention no longer sustainable. We were proud to open School’s Out Melrose in August 2024, registered to provide care for up to 38 children aged ELC 4 – P7.
NOW – In June we celebrated School's Out 10 year Anniversary with a Free Funday with over 500 children, parents/carers and staff from our past, present and future.
We describe ourselves as the ‘School’s Out Family’ and are blessed to play a part in so many of our local children’s play, experiences and memories. We never take for granted the trust placed in us by our families.