So far 17 cluster managers have been appointed. Each works with a cluster of no more than eight schools and is based at one of the schools in the cluster.
The managers organise extended services and activities, such as breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, childcare, parenting support, IT courses and family learning.
They develop partnerships between the schools and outside agencies and they also provide a link with the local authority.
Cluster manager Dorothy McKay is based at Bexhill Primary School in the city. She works with six schools and a children's centre.
Ms McKay said, 'We have been promoting the children's centre to parents and we went into one of the nursery schools and took someone from parent support, health and community wardens to talk to the parents and children.
'We have run a performing arts week and are about to start a basic cake decorating course for parents to do with their young children. I inform the schools as to what is going on in the rest of the cluster and they can join in or take their ideas. My role is to make sure everyone is involved and that the service is sustainable.'
Sunderland City Council has introduced the extended schools programme into all 116 of the city's schools.
The Government wants all schools in England to offer the full core offer for extended schools by the end of 2010.
