Education Chiefs in Leeds have received the news that the first stage of their bid for more government money has resulted in the city's secondary schools being given a £6m boost.

The money means that 70 full-time Learning Mentors and 15 Learning Resource Centres will be set up to provide significant in-school support.

The money can also be spent on the establishment of a co-ordinated Gifted and Talented pupil scheme.

"Leeds has been committed to Excellence in Cities since the Government announced the initiative in March," said Councillor Tom Murray, Leeds City Council's Executive Member for Life Long Learning and Leisure.

"Of course this is also a jobs boost for Leeds because it will mean the creation of 70 new Learning Mentor Posts in the initiative's first year, and this total could rise as high as 90 in the second year."

The 43 secondary schools will have up to two or three full-time Learning Mentors, whose job will be to provide support for chidren who have difficulty with learning.

The Learning Resource Centres will follow on from this, by providing intensive and specifically tailored learning support required by some children, to help them play an active part in classes.

The other scheme that the money will benefit is the Gifted and Talented Children Programme, which is designed to help the most able 5-10% of children in each Excellence in Cities secondary school. The scheme will provide them with a co-ordinated mix of challenge and support.

Leeds Central MP, Hillary Benn has also welcomed the announcement of the £6m for Leeds. "I am delighted that the local schools will benefit from Leeds' success in its bid. This investment will provide practical support to our inner-city schools in helping them to raise pupil achievement. It is a very good day for education in the city."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.