Community groups in York are being offered the chance to be included on a prestigious internet website that gathers together the best education material in the country.

Staff at City of York Councils passing on details of the National Grid for Learning (NGfL) - a free government-funded portal that acts as a gateway to more than 900 quality-assured websites.

Many of these sites contain resources aimed for use by teachers in schools with pupils, but there is a growing amount of information for people not in formal learning - whether they are parents, adult learners or those simply interested in finding out more about a hobby.

The NGfL, which can be reached at www.ngfl.gov.uk, is now inviting community, interest and activity groups, libraries, councils, charities or museums in YorkYork to put their websites forward for consideration for inclusion.

Those accepted will be able to display the prestigious NGfL logo, which shows that a website meets the standards needed to be included on the portal.

To be considered, a site has to undergo checks to make sure that it has educational content, is suitable for a family audience and meets certain technical requirements.

NGfL Content Officer, Antony Hopker, said: "The internet has made the world a smaller place, and the NGfL offers groups and organisations in York the chance to reach out and get their websites recognised nationally.

"Websites that show people how to do something worthwhile can be included. For example, a community learning centre might have a section that shows others how to find a course, develop an interest, take up a hobby, or a local history society might have information that is useful for people interested in the past. These groups are as welcome to apply alongside better-known established organisations and institutions involved with formal education.

"The NGfL is valuable because it is far-reaching and has content of a high standard. Groups that apply will get free technical advice on how to meet these standards, and websites that are accepted will get publicity. To apply, just visit the 'Link your site' section of www.ngfl.gov.uk"

People are also being invited to give their views on the NGfL portal through a questionnaire that can be accessed at www.ngfl.gov.uk/survey

Antony added: "We'd really like to know what people think of the NGfL and how they use it, so we can continue to improve it. People who fill in the questionnaire can win a £50 book voucher. We'd like anyone with an interest in learning to give us their views - parents, teachers, students, governors, adult learners. The portal is there for you and we want to know what you think."

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