BRADFORD schools have been invited to apply for a share of £5m funding to run activities to help their pupils develop vital life skills.

The Essential Life Skills funding aims to help every school in the district to run extra-curricular activities.

This support is available to Bradford schools and colleges after the district was chosen to be an Opportunity Area, to boost social mobility through education.

The funding is aimed at activities for pupils between the ages of five and 18, and will be awarded to projects that develop skills like resilience, hard work, self-control, self-confidence, leadership and team working.

To receive a share of the funding, schools must be delivering new or significantly extended activities and should look to prioritise opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills said: “I urge all of our schools to make the most of this programme. The Essential Life Skills funding provides us with a great chance to create new opportunities for our young people.

“We all want to ensure Bradford pupils achieve as much as they can in education but we also want to support them as they grow up to become confident, well rounded and responsible young people who are able to fulfil their potential in the world of work and contribute to society.

"This funding will help pupils to develop skills and qualities which will help them in later life. I look forward to seeing how our schools will use this funding to support our children and young people.”

Two sessions are being held for schools to help them understand the requirements of the funding. They will take place tomorrow from 10am until 12 noon at Indus Hall, Kala Sangam, Bradford or from 2pm to 4pm at Keighley College.