SCHOOLS should be teaching everyone from toddlers to pensioners in North Yorkshire, according to a report by the county council's education chief.

Cynthia Welbourn says greater use could be made of school sites and buildings so that people of all ages could benefit from additional learning and leisure opportunities.

Ms Welbourn says that schools have offered learning and leisure opportunities out of school hours for some years, but the government now wants to promote an increase in their use.

A full-service extended school would provide facilities for early years and childcare, lifelong learning, family learning, youth work, health and social care, parenting support, arts and culture and access to ICT.

"The key principle is that we will encourage every school in North Yorkshire to develop extended schools activities. Many already do provide such activities but they will be encouraged to build on existing initiatives," she said.

Cash is being earmarked in the annual budget for a school team to implement the strategy.

It would cover Hambleton, Richmondshire, Scarborough and Ryedale, and will be based at Alanbrooke School, Topcliffe. Another team would be based at Castle Church of England Junior School, Knaresborough, covering the Harrogate, Craven and Selby areas.

Children and young people will be one focus of the strategy.

It aims to enable them to enjoy good health, protection from harm and neglect, education and training, social and economic well-being and making a contribution to society.