SCHOOLS in the Blackrod and Horwich areas have been given a £200,000-plus cash injection to boost learning for youngsters.

The money, from the Government's New Opportunities Fund will be used to pay for study support activities.

This latest £190,000 is on top of the £26,000 already granted for childcare at Lord Street (Horwich) and Blackrod Primary Schools.

Nine primary schools In Horwich and Blackrod have teamed up with Rivington and Blackrod High to help pupils with after-school studies. The scheme will run for three years and involve 260 pupils on weekly study sessions.

And 160 children will be able to attend one of four week-long summer schools during the mid-year break.

Study support is voluntary extra lessons outside normal school hours. Areas included will be art, sport, information technology and drama.

Cllr Linda Thomas, chairman of the Children and Young People Joint Working Party, said: "It gives a lot more children a lot more chances to benefit from education. The activities will be linked to, and extend curriculum subjects, and all will be run by trained staff.

"This success is another example of partnership working among local school groups, Bolton Education Authority and Community Education.

"It has resulted in a much wider choice with developments such as the Technology College Status for Rivington and Blackrod High and Sports College status at St Joseph's High plus the range of other initiatives which have been brought Into the towns."

training

Head teacher of Lord Street Primary School, Penny Pollard said: "We are thrilled by the tremendous early success of our bids.

"We have also won European funding for ICT training for local firms and New Opportunities funds for training teachers in ICT, funding for out of school childcare and study facilities and we are also involved In the establishment of the Bolton Institute Network. The head teachers in Horwich and Blackrod are excited by the opportunities that will be offered to the children . . ."

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