VALUABLE information technology resources are being made available to the community by Lytham St Annes High School.

Headteacher Michael Payne has appointed a new development officer, John Bell, to structure and promote a series of training packages for individuals and local companies to pick up new skills.

With some 160 computers, most with Pentium systems, video conferencing and up-to-date facilities, the school, which has been given technology college status, is eager that they do not go to waste - and where better to put them to good use than in the community. Mr Bell explained: "Lots of people who need IT skills don't have the time or money to go off to college and train. What we can offer is a structured course on four Saturdays, for example, where they can learn the skills which are applicable to them.

"We have enormous resources at the school which can be made available to businesses right down to the bottom of the scale. My job will be to identify the needs of the businesses and tailor packages to meet those needs.

"We also have to develop some kind of recognition system for the courses so they can come away with something at the end of it all."

Training will be carried out by a combination of school staff and experts brought in from outside and courses will be affordable.

There is also the possibility of businesses sponsoring the building and Mr Bell will be actively involved in promoting the scheme by going into offices and telling people what the school has and what it can do to help them.

The overall aim is to give something back to the community as Mr Payne explained: "There are indications that people are having a rethink - there is a greater feeling of let's share what we've got.

"But there is also still a feeling that schools are just for children, although this is not the case. We close at 3pm and from then, as well as all day Saturdays and during holidays, the facilities can be used by others. If it takes off everybody gains."

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