Access for disabled pupils will be improved in Bradford schools thanks to a £500,000 cash boost from the Government.

The money is part of a £5 million Schools Access Initiative allocation for 2001-02 and will be used to improve facilities in mainstream schools.

Councillor David Ward, Bradford Council's Executive Member for Education, said under Department for Education criteria schools would be invited to bid for money to provide improvements.

He said: "Access improvements usually fall into two categories - access improvements to buildings including adaptations such as lifts and ramps, and funding to improve access to the curriculum, such as providing new radio aids to pupils with hearing disabilities, or blinds to deflect sunlight from children with sight problems.

"This contribution from the Government will make a positive difference to our ability to provide for young people with special needs in mainstream schools."

One school that is proud of its accessibility for disabled pupils is Beckfoot School in Bingley.

Deputy head teacher Linda Wallsgrove said: "We have always been well supported here. Because our school is a single storey school children with mobility problems can get around easily.

"We have one small section on the first floor and have had a special lift put in. But because of the reorganisation new buildings will all be single-storey and ramps and handrails will be put at all the fire exits."

The school has various adaptations to make life easier for disabled pupils. There is a quiet area for students to rest if they can't manage a full day at school, more disabled toilets have been installed so pupils do not have to travel right across the school, and there is adaptable furniture in the kitchen and science labs which moves up and down to fit individual needs.

"We have made one entrance for disabled pupils so they can take plenty of time - sometimes it is just a case of giving them a little bit extra time to get around the building and giving them the confidence to do that."

She welcomed the extra funding from the Government and said it could help other schools in Bradford, particularly those in older buildings on more than one floor.

Alan Hall, head teacher at Belle Vue Girls' School, said his school only had a few disabled pupils with sight or hearing disabilities but agreed if more access was available to physically disabled children there would be more choice open to them.

"We have had new buildings and had a lift put in so we can take physically disabled pupils," he said.

"You should be able to go to the school of your choice without it being affected by a disability."