GOVERNORS at Bedale CE primary school have launched a £26,500 fund to help build and equip an information technology suite which will also be available to the wider community.

Children at the 335-pupil school in Firby Road will be encouraged to take an active part in the appeal, which has begun with letters to parents under the title "Bringing IT to Bedale."

Total estimated cost of the development, which will involve building an extension on to the school hall and equipping it with 20 computer work stations, is £65,000. By applying for government and local educational grants, the governors have already secured £38,500 and need to raise the remaining £26,500 through voluntary contributions by the end of the school's financial year on March 31.

Head teacher Mr David Fishburn said the first stage would be to try to encourage the children to think of fundraising events where they would be trusted to use school funds.

"The essence of this approach is to empower the children to take an active and purposeful role. We intend to challenge children to see if they can think of some magical and creative ways in which they can turn £1 into £2, £3, £4 or £5. It would be wonderful if they could do the same with £5 or £10.

"The idea is to trust children with school money and for them to spend it wisely."

Mr Fishburn said the second stage would involve the production of a glossy leaflet to be sent to households in Bedale, inviting people to support selected areas of the IT suite.

Governors would also approach national and regional companies and trust funds, and an application might be made for lottery money. Mr Fishburn said: "We are not trying to hit local traders because we think they get enough hammer already."

He said children must be computer literate to face the technological world of work. The IT suite would mean extra time for pupils in computer lessons, more after school clubs and dinnertime sessions.

Courses could also be arranged for adults, giving wider access to technological communication, and parents and children could surf the internet together.

Mr Fishburn said: "We see the project as a dual use arrangement, available to the community, which will hopefully be used all the time. If people contribute money towards it, we feel they will get a sense of ownership."

Suggested contributions range from £1 for a mouse mat to £5 for a pack of printer paper, £8 for two boxes of floppy discs, £400 for a carpet or £800 for a computer.

l A meeting is held in the school on Monday (6.30) to discuss the project