Victoria Climbie suffered horrendous abuse from her carers

The 61 "extended schools" will also provide nursery care and adult education.

These are intended to "join up" public services, a demand made after the inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie.

By 2006, the government's plan is for all of England's 150 local education authorities to have at least one extended school.

Helping families

Children's minister Margaret Hodge said: "Joined-up services mean better support for children and families.

"They will act as one-stop places, providing services organised around the needs of children and families."

Victoria Climbie died in north London in 2000, after prolonged neglect and cruelty by her carers.

A report by Lord Laming said she had been seen by various professionals who did not share information and failed to save her.

Earlier this month, Education Secretary Charles Clarke spoke of "shameful failings" and called for greater accountability among child protection workers.

In its green paper, the government promised an independent children's commissioner, to act as a "champion" for young people in England.

'Focus of the community'

In addition, it has called for schools to do more to promote health and wider education, particularly in deprived areas.

Mrs Hodge said: "Easy access to health services will mean children do not have to be taken out of school to travel across town for services like speech therapy.

"After-school activities and clubs at extended schools is great for children and young people and helps to make better use of school buildings which would otherwise be empty.

"Getting parents and grandparents into schools, either to learn themselves or help their children to learn, helps us to make the school the real focus of the community."

Mrs Hodge also announced the names of the next 29 children's centres, which will provide nursery education and support for families with children under the age of five.

Stationing social workers on school premises has been tried in various places including Scotland and the US.

However, teachers' unions are anxious to ensure staff workload does not increase as a result.

Community services

Leslie Hall, head teacher of Acton High School in west London, said: "Becoming an extended school means that now our kids will have better access on a cultural level so that they don't just go home and turn on the television.

"As an extended school we will be even further ahead in giving our students the best possible life opportunities.

"We want all our students to be focused on achieving their full potential.

"Providing strong community services will certainly improve the chances of those less privileged students who struggle against the odds."

Meanwhile, a survey by the NSPCC found 13% of new teachers had received no training in spotting signs of child abuse.

This was despite more than half having to deal with at least one child protection case in their first 18 months in the classroom.

The NSPCC's findings emerged from questioning 1,118 teachers who had qualified in the past two years.