THE NEW Opportunities Fund has pound;205 million of Lottery money to fund out-of-school learning. Your article on such activities emphasised the potential they have to enthuse and motivate children, but raised questions about the fund’s approach to partnership. (Friday magazine, June 25) Because we want to encourage innovation and diversity, we have tried to be flexible in our approach. Some of the most important partnerships can be informal, developed with parents, carers and local residents. Some may involve partnership funding and others volunteering and support in kind.

Applications can be led by schools or by their partner organisations.

We are making the application process as simple as possible. Our enquiries team (0845 00 00 120) will answer questions, and we also have a newsletter and website at www.nof.org.uk Stephen Dunmore

Chief executive New Opportunities Fund Heron House 322 High Holborn, London WC1V