SCHOOLS across the country will be able to open all year round thanks to £680m funding from the Government.

Local education authorities have been given the money to develop extended schools, offering childcare from 8am to 6pm, with a variety of activities on offer.

The North-East has received £21m out of a pot of £680m nationally over two years, released by the Department for Education and Skills (Dfes).

Pupils will be able to take part in activities such as homework clubs, sport, music tuition, chess, first aid, foreign languages and the opportunity to visit museums and galleries.

Primary schools will also offer parent support and family learning opportunities and access to specialists such as speech and language therapists, while secondary schools will be open to the community and offer services for young people and parents.

Announcing the funding, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly said: "Schools are at the heart of our communities and it makes sense to extend the services they offer beyond the traditional school day.

"Extended schools will not only help children in their education, but also support hard-working families to manage their home and work life."

The Local Government Association has welcomed the funding but said it was concerned there was no obligation on schools to take up the initiative.

A spokesman said: "If headteachers do not want to take part, then it makes it difficult for councils to deliver as schools are often the obvious and most convenient place to site pre and post school care.

"Giving schools a duty to co-operate with councils in delivering this service would help ensure that all parents really have a viable choice for the care of their child outside school hours."

North-East schools will receive funding for extended schools over the next three years. Durham Local Education Authority received the highest level of funding, totalling about £5m.

The council's member for children's services, Neil Foster, said he was delighted the Government had recognised the importance of extending the school day.

He said: "It also clearly recognises the change in patterns of work and parenting and the important role of quality childcare within the extended school day.

"County Durham has been at the forefront of the development of extended schooling facilities and this funding will allow us to build on what we already have."

Darlington Borough Council will receive £1.4m over the next three years.

Chris McEwan, cabinet member for children's services, said: "We welcome this money, which will help with plans we already have in place for extended schools in Darlington."