FOUR Shildon schools are in the money after picking up £76,000 from the National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund.

The cash for out-of-school opportunities for youngsters has been awarded to Sunnydale Comprehensive, Timothy Hackworth Primary, St John's CE Primary and Shildon County Primary.

The schools submitted a joint bid for funding in order to pay for teaching assistants to work alongside volunteers on a range of schemes outside lessons.

These will include: Out of hours computer activities and the setting up of a new Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at Sunnydale, developing a school website at Timothy Hackworth, a healthy breakfast club at St John's and performing arts groups for youngsters at Shildon County Primary

Those behind the bid say the aim of the schemes is to motivate children to learn by developing their confidence and self-esteem.

John Sewell, deputy head at Sunnydale Comprehensive, said: "Getting this award is tremendous news.

"The project represents part of our strategy to develop lifelong learning and to get away from the idea that learning only takes place in the traditional time slots that children have been used to.

"Changes in society mean that people have to acquire skills as and when they need which means developing flexible patterns of learning.

"The provision of things such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme also extends the curriculum, providing a meaningful outdoor educational experience and giving students the opportunities to gain qualifications held in high regard in the commercial world."