The clubs provide supervision for children at the end of the formal school day - giving pupils somewhere safe to do their homework or to play sports.

The extra money, announced by the Schools Minister, Jacqui Smith, will help create a network of clubs in almost 2,000 secondary schools and more than 4,000 primary schools by 2002.

Funds from the National Lottery have already been allocated to setting up out-of-hours clubs for schoolchildren, adding up to a total investment of £300m.

Ms Smith also launched new guidance for schools to help them set up after-school clubs and summer schools.

'Improving motivation and self-esteem'

"Study support is an integral part of the government's strategy to improve standards," she said.

"It allows pupils to do a range of activities in school but outside the school day, from supervised homework to sports, drama, music, ICT and many other voluntary activities.

"All of these activities can help to raise achievement and improve pupil motivation and self-esteem."

It is intended that the clubs, which normally run for a couple of hours after school, will help families where both parents are working, ensuring that children have a safe place to go before their parents get home - rather than allowing children to hang around the streets and risk getting into trouble.

New research

Children who might not have anywhere in their own homes suitable for homework will also be able to use the clubs and the available support from teachers.

As well as after-school clubs, some schools are offering "breakfast" clubs, where pupils can be supervised before the school day begins.

Ms Smith unveiled new research by the National Foundation for Educational Research which highlights the positive benefits of "study support".