A PIONEERING scheme that will see schools in Darlington provide wider services for pupils, families and communities is to be launched.

Council officials have been awarded £168,000 by the Department for Education and Skills to develop the Extended Schools Initiative in the town.

The borough authority will be working with schools to enhance evening classes and community sports programmes.

Additional services such as adult learning, childcare, parenting support, access to information technology and on-site health and social care will also be provided.

The Government cash will be invested in helping Hummersknott School and Language College and Skerne Park Primary School launch the scheme.

They will become Darlington's first extended schools offering a range of after-school activities, better co-ordinated support for pupils who need it, parenting classes, family learning and healthy lifestyle clubs.

Further funding will be allocated for the three-year project at a later date, which will allow other schools in the town to take part.

In 2002, a number of councils in England were selected to trial the Extended Schools Initiative.

Authorities that have launched the scheme are said to have found major benefits, including higher levels of pupil achievement and increased motivation and self-esteem. Parents have enjoyed greater involvement in their children's learning, more opportunities for adult education and family learning and greater availability of specialist family support.

Communities gained better access to essential services and improved local availability of sports, arts and other facilities.

Stephen Harker, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for education, said: "This is an innovative idea that will provide a range of learning opportunities for the community and it is something that we will be looking to extend across the borough."

An open day is to be held at Hummersknott School on Saturday, October 2, from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Free buses will be running between Skerne Park Primary and Hummersknott throughout the day.

Visitors can find out information about the initiative at the two schools.

For more information, call (01325) 388811