Schools will share their resources with the community

The 240 "extended schools", set up at a cost of �52.2m, will initially be targeted at disadvantaged areas.

They will then spread to include every local education authority in England.

The schools will also provide parenting support, childcare and recreational facilities.

It is hoped they will relieve pressure on teachers, while improving standards of health, literacy and numeracy.

Ease the burden

Education minister Baroness Ashton said: "We are creating schools for the future, which meet the challenges of life in the 21st Century.

"Extended services help improve children's motivation, behaviour and achievements. They remove barriers to learning and help teachers focus on their core job of teaching.

"By supporting pupils, parents and communities, extended services help schools focus on raising standards."

Annual funding will start at �7.6m for 2003-4, rising to �31.6m by 2005-6.

Andrew Longfield, chief executive of the Kids' Clubs Network, which provides out-of-school care, said: "Extended schools will be particularly important for rural areas and areas of disadvantage

One-stop shop

"Here they have a unique opportunity to offer a one stop shop for children and families - in and out of school."

Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, also welcomed the move.

He said: "Currently teachers are expected to take on many of the problems which other local authority services should be tackling.

"Local authorities now need to accept the strong argument for such services to be in schools directly meeting the needs of pupils and parents.

"Teachers must be at the centre of deciding how extended schools are developed.