The Education Secretary, David Blunkett, has announced a �1m expansion of the scheme, which gives extra help to children in the summer holidays before they enter secondary school.

A further 25 projects are to run this summer, offering assistance to pupils in 120 schools. These will offer a wider range of subjects than previous summer schools, including drama and the arts.

David Blunkett says children will be helped to reach their full potential in summer schools

Among the summer schools announced will be an environmental project at the Beeches primary school in Peterborough. In August, an artist will work with pupils, many from the ethnic minorities, on producing artwork and designing a garden.

This latest phase of summer schools will also include support for special needs pupils, both particularly gifted young people and those with learning difficulties or physical handicaps.

These will include a project for pupils with literacy and numeracy problems to be based at Bircotes and Harworth Community School in Coventry. Children at the summer school will produce a newspaper and a Website, with information and articles about the local community.

The new summer schools, announced by the education secretary at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds, will be in addition to the 1,200 literacy and numeracy schools already announced.

"The fact is some young people have more opportunities to enrich their learning outside school than others. They have more supportive parents, access to museums, galleries, theatres and sports," said Mr Blunkett.

'Vital chances'

"It is vital that every youngster has the chance to fulfil their potential, regardless of background. We need to help schools and others to reach out to young people who are not taking part."

This is the full list of projects, provided by the Department for Education:

ARCHWAY SCHOOL - GLOUCESTERSHIRE LEA

A single project involving 100 children in Years 5, 6 and 7. Year 6 pupils with statements of special educational needs (dyslexia) will be particularly targeted to participate in the activities. The project will focus on the development of specific skills within two areas of study with a particular emphasis on problem solving, active and co-operative learning. Cookery, art, drama, creative writing, science and sport are amongst the areas to be covered in the project. The project will run for one week at the end of July and will be based in Archway Secondary School.

Contact: Vivien Warren 01453 766543

ASHBY GRAMMAR SCHOOL - LEICESTERSHIRE LEA

A single project involving 40 pupils in Year 6. The project will target very able students in Year 6 in Leicestershire maintained schools who are about to transfer to secondary school. The pupils will be selected by Headteachers using criteria provided by Leicestershire Education Authority. The project will focus on the17th Century. Partners in the project include the National Trust, Leicester University, Leicestershire Museum Service and the Sealed Knot Society. The project is a residential course based at Ashby Grammar School and will run for one week in the middle July.

Contact: John Williams 01530 413759

BAGINTON FIELDS SCHOOL - COVENTRY LEA

A consortium of five special schools will be involved in this project with age ranges from three -19 years. Three hundred pupils will be involved in the project, and those with profound multiple learning difficulties and with emotional behavioural difficulties will be particularly targeted, as well as pupils from ethnic minority groups. Pupils from other special schools in Coventry will be invited to attend. Partners in the project include Coventry Healthcare Trust, Coventry Social Services Disability Team and leisure services. The project will be based around the five schools and will run from the last week in July to the first week in August.

Contact: Richard Aird 01203 3 01904

BEECHES PRIMARY SCHOOL - CITY OF PETERBOROUGH LEA

The Beeches is a single school project involving 50 nine to 10-year-old pupils. The project specifically targets pupils from ethnic minority communities. The pupils will be developing the school's environment, including designing and creating a garden area and creating artwork for the school. Partners include the Wildlife Trust and a local artist. The project will be based at the Beeches Primary School over two weeks at the end of August.

Contact: Sheila Frisby 01733 703673

BIRCOTES AND HARWORTH COMMUNITY SCHOOL - NOTTINGHAMSHIRE LEA

A consortium of one primary and one secondary school will be involved in this project. One hundred pupils between the ages of 9 -14 will be involved in the project. Pupils who have found difficulty with literacy and numeracy skills will be particularly targeted and encouraged to attend the project. Pupils will produce magazines, newspapers, Website information and articles about local children's lives, interests and achievements and local village and family history. The project will be based in Bircotes and Harworth Community School and will run for two weeks from the 16 August.

Contact: David Hudson 01302 742535

BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN LEA

A consortium of nine secondary schools and one special school will be involved in this project. Four hundred pupils between the ages of 11-16 will be encouraged to participate in the project, especially young people within the Asian Heritage community. There will be three main themes to the project, information communication technology, sports and arts culture and study enrichment. Partners include two local colleges, the youth service, libraries and museums, the Education Action Zone, the careers service and the education welfare service. Most of the project will be based at Blackburn College and St Mary's College. The project will run for the first two weeks in August.

Contact: Nick Hudson 01254 585849

BROOKFIELD HIGH SCHOOL - KNOWSLEY LEA

A consortium of four primary schools, one secondary school and one special school will be involved in this project. Two hundred and fifteen pupils between the ages of 10 and 16 will be encouraged to participate in the project. The project will particularly target physically disabled pupils who do not currently take part in out of school activities. Partners include Liverpool John Moore's University, Knowsley Community College, Knowsley Leisure Services, Kodak, Liverpool Football Club and the Youth Sport Trust. The project will run in the last week in August and will be based at Brookfield High School with some off site work at Liverpool John Moore's University, Knowsley Community College and Liverpool Football Academy.

Contact: Pam Jervis 0151 546 6804

FLORENCE BROWN SCHOOL - "FLORENCE BROWN SUMMER SCIENCE SCHOOL" - CITY OF BRISTOL LEA

The Florence Brown project involves a special school and a primary school and provides provision for 40 11 to 12-year-old pupils. All of the pupils attending the project have statements of special educational needs. The project will be heavily science based, but will also include environmental and sporting activities. The project's main partner is the Clifton Scientific Trust. The project will be based in the Florence Brown School over the last week of July.

Contact: Richard Berry 0117 966 8152

GLENBURN HIGH SCHOOL - LANCASHIRE LEA

A Festival of Learning involving a consortium of primary and secondary schools with up to 300 pupils between the ages of 5 -18. The project is available to all students particularly those who do not currently take part in out of school activities, those with special educational needs, and pupils from ethnic minority communities. Pupil mentoring will also be a key aspect, particularly for pupils aged 8 to 12. Partners in the project include Glenburn Community Association, Skelmersdale College and the SPLASH Community Initiative. The project will be based in Glenburn School with some activities taking place at Skelmersdale College and will run for four weeks from 26 July.

Contact: Linda Lea 01695 724383

HARBOROUGH SCHOOL - ISLINGTON LEA

A single project involving one special school and ten children. The project will particularly target pupils between the ages of 14 -18 who have been diagnosed with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder and pupils from ethnic minority communities. The focus of the project will be the management of a personal events diary and the constructive use of leisure time through the areas of English/Language and communication. The project will be based in Harborough School and will run for one week at the end of July.

Contact: Madeleine Shearman 0171 272 5739

HERTSFORDSHIRE LEA

A consortium project involving one primary and six secondary schools with 390 pupils between the ages of 10 and 15. The project will have five distinct elements, the arts education, arts and modern foreign language, extending literacy skills and extending information communication technology skills. Partners for the project include NTL and RM Machines who will be involved in the technical support for information communication technology. The project will run for various periods throughout the holidays.

Contact: Martin Baker 01582 830296

HOLSWORTHY COMMUNITY COLLEGE - "HOLSWORTHY HOLIDAY SCHEME" - DEVON LEA

The Holsworthy Holiday Scheme involves a secondary school and 14 primary schools, covering 250 pupils from 6 to 16 years old. The project's activities include art, dance, drama, music, sport, literacy, numeracy and ICT skills. Partners include the Lions Club and local sports clubs. The project will be based at Holsworthy Community College during the first two weeks in August.

Contact: Anne Betts 01409 254505

KIRKLEES LEA - "KIRKLEES SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMME"

The Kirklees Summer School will involve 600 eight to 16-year-olds from six primary schools and seven secondary schools. A significant number will be from ethnic minority communities. The project will include art, music, sport, literacy, numeracy, ICT, media and citizenship. Partners include the University of the First Age (Kirklees), the National Literacy Association, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Habet Engineering, and a local library and art gallery. The project will run throughout most of the summer at a number of sites including the University of Huddersfield, local schools, colleges, and community centres.

Contact: Fran Perry 01484 225005

LANGDON SCHOOL - NEWHAM LEA

A consortium project involving one secondary school and five primary schools with 300 pupils between the ages of 9-15. The project will offer a broad programme of activities and will target both boys and girls in Langdon school and the partner primary schools. Themes include three dimensional art, science, performing arts, sports, maths, information technology, first aid, creative writing, improving study and presentation skills and our environment. The project will be based in Langdon School and will run for two weeks from the middle of August.

Contact: Vince Doherty 0181 471 2411

MIDDLETON TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL - "RAISING ACHIEVEMENT SUMMER SCHOOL" - ROCHDALE LEA

The Middleton project involves 50 10 to 16-year-olds from a secondary school and two primary schools. The project will focus on ICT, literacy and language skills. Partners include the Bobby Charlton school of football excellence. The project will be based at Middleton Technology School and will run for a week in the middle of July.

Contact: Paul Boardman 0161 643 5116

MINSTHORPE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - "SUMMER LEARNING FESTIVAL" - WAKEFIELD LEA

The Minsthorpe project will involve over 300 eight to 18-year-old pupils from the secondary school and several of its feeder junior schools. The project's activities include developing ICT skills, photography, sport, residential outdoor pursuits, French, drama, sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, music, recording studio and DJ workshops, and producing a student newspaper. Partners include Leeds United Football Club, Wakefield Adult Education Service, Wakefield Youth Service and the local SRB Partnership. The project will run for five weeks during July and August and will be based at Minsthorpe Community College and a number of sport and outdoor activity centres.

Contact: Alan Connah 01977 609228

PADGATE SCHOOL - "PADGATE SUMMER SCHOOL" - WARRINGTON LEA

The Padgate project involves a secondary school and five primary schools, with participation from 360 nine to 16-year-old pupils. The project will focus on literacy, numeracy, sport, music and drama. Partners include a local youth centre and library. The project will be based at Padgate School and will run for five weeks over July and August.

Contact: Debbie Loughlin 01925 822632

PIPER HILL SCHOOL - MANCHESTER LEA

A single school project involving one special school and 24 pupils between the ages of 11 and 18. Pupils with statements of special educational needs who do not currently take part in out of school activities because of lack of availability and difficulties they experience in accessing community facilities will be particularly targeted. All pupils taking part in the project will have individual learning targets to work towards, on the themes of 'outdoor and adventurous activities' and 'accessing community facilities'. The project will be based in Piper Hill School and will run for three weeks from 21 July.

Contact: Jenny Andrews 0161 998 4068

SALFORD AND TRAFFORD EAZ - "SALFORD YOUNG PEOPLE'S UNIVERSITY" - SALFORD LEA AND TRAFFORD LEA

The Salford project will involve 600 10 to 13-year-olds from seven primary schools and two secondary schools. The project's activities include science and technology, ICT, media, fashion, performing arts, music, sport and arts. Partners include Salford University, Salford and Trafford LEAs, Salford SATRO, North Trafford College and United Utilities. The project will be based at Salford University and a number of local colleges and will run for four weeks during July and August.

Contact: Dr Jo Jolliffe 0161 872 2581

SITTINGBOURNE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - KENT LEA

A single school project involving one secondary school and 50 pupils between the ages of 11 and 16. The project will target particularly Year 7 pupils who are at risk of underachieving and who lack social and interpersonal skills. Year 11 pupils will take on responsibilities such as prefect training, training of anti-bullying counsellors, leadership skills and mentoring. Partners for the project include modern apprentices from local business, the college's sponsor Knauf involved in some course planning and Kingsdown International Activity Centre. The project will be based in Sittingbourne Community College from 31 August to 2 September and at West Kingsdown Outdoor Activity Centre on 3 September.

Contact: Alan Barham 01795 472449

SOMERSET EDUCATION SERVICES - "SUMMER-SET TO LEARN" - SOMERSET LEA

Summer-Set to Learn is Somerset's project, involving three primary schools, six secondary schools and 600 five to 16-year-olds. The project will include activities on sport, art, chess, ICT, history, science, foreign languages, financial management and will also include a mentoring scheme. Partners include Somerset Library Service, COSMIC and PLEIAD. The project will be based at the nine schools taking part and will run throughout the summer holidays.

Contact: Vicki Taylor 01823 355805

THOMAS TALLIS SCHOOL - "THOMAS TALLIS AND KIDBROOKE SCHOOLS' ARTS SCHOOL" - GREENWICH LEA

The Thomas Tallis project will involve two secondary schools - both specialist arts colleges - and 100 14 to 15-year-olds will be participating in the project. The focus of the project is the Expressive Arts, including costume and stage design, model-making, photography, dance and drama. The project will run for 1½ weeks during August and September and will be based at Thomas Tallis School and Kidbrooke School, with a joint performance on the final day.

Contact: Jon Nicholls 0181 856 0115

TOWER HAMLETS SUMMER UNIVERSITY - TOWER HAMLETS LEA

A consortium project involving 16 secondary schools and 2000 pupils between the ages of 14 and 25. This project is part funded by the DfEE and part funded by charitable trusts and other sectors. Pupils will be recruited by direct marketing to schools by a team of peer motivators. The project will focus on seven areas; study and explore, computers and the Internet, music and performing arts, visual arts and digital technology, employability and enterprise, sport and fitness and fashion and style. Partners include London Borough of Tower Hamlets, ' A' Team Arts, Royal National Theatre, the Tower of London and Deloitte & Touche. The project will be based at a number of venues including St Paul's Way School and London Guildhall University and will run from 21 June - 20 August.

Contact: Elizabeth Lynch 0171 247 7900

UNIVERSITY OF THE FIRST AGE (BIRMINGHAM) - BIRMINGHAM LEA

Birmingham's UFA project will involve 600 11 to 14-year-olds from 12 secondary schools and a special school. The project will include a component which is aimed specifically at pupils who are looked after by the authority, in foster care or children's homes. The project will cover a range of learning experiences including languages, mathematics, problem solving and the environment. Partners include the council's Planning and Transportation Departments and the Outdoor and Environmental Education Service. The project will be based primarily at the University of Central England and will run for two weeks at the end of July.

Contact: Nigel Smith 0121 303 2606

WOODLANDS SCHOOL - "WOODLANDS SUMMER SCHOOL" - ESSEX LEA

The Woodlands project will involve 300 11 to 15-year-olds from six primary schools and a secondary school. The project will include activities on literacy, numeracy, ICT, curriculum subjects, sport and crafts. Partners include the local district council, library and careers services and mentors from private business. The project will run for two weeks during July and August and will be based at Woodlands School.