A Newcastle recruitment firm is helping time-pressured parents and bored youngsters by providing the specialist staff for after-school clubs offering activities such as karate, football, dance and art.

For a fee, Education World provides staff to primary and secondary schools, enabling them to offer extended after-school services to help parents who are unable to collect their children until after 6pm.

The firm also offers before- and after-school classes as part of the government’s Extended Schools Programme, and has already attracted more than 20 clients in the last four months.

The company is operated by qualified teacher and recruiter Neil Coram, and offers quirky touches such as free fruit for kids as part of the drive to combat child obesity.

“With the new government initiative encouraging schools to be open from 8am until 6pm, it’s imperative that children have access to exciting and stimulating activities,” said Coram. “Many schools don’t have the time or resources to provide such extra care.

“Our staff will come to the school both in the morning and evening, to conduct classes for children whose parents aren’t able to pick them up, but don’t want their kids to be sitting in front of the TV.”