A FORNIGHT of activities has ensured hundreds of children will feel at home when they start a new school next month.

Staindrop Business and Enterprise College invited about 200 children who left primary schools across Teesdale in July to the summer school.

About 20 staff were helped by year 8 and 9 pupils from the comprehensive school in organising a range of activites, including sports, baking, crafts, IT workshops and quizzes.

There were also weekend trips to the Metro Centre and Lightwater Valley.

It is hoped the scheme, which cost £50 per child, will make the transition from primary school to secondary school an easier one.

Sean Towers, inclusion manager at Staindrop Business and Enterprise said: "This links in with our anti-bullying project and we have a very good reputation for helping children coming into the school settle down.

"It is a very informal atmosphere here and it lets the children familiarise themselves with the school and make some friends which makes starting in September so much easier."

Awards were also handed out to children who contributed most to the summer school. Winners of the Golden Award were: Ethan Hunter, Josh Barker, Lewis Robinson, Edward-Lee Alderson, Oliver Rogers, Hamish Sams, Joseph Bailey, Ashley Fox, Kaitlin Harbron, Rachelle Cox, Luke Hutchinson, Shannon Webb, Jack Harland, George Tallentire, Oliver Blakinsop, Alex Curran, Daniel Nelson, Cieron Jackson, Michael Webber, Marcus Aston, Leon Shield, Susie Naylor, Elle Chippendale, Lucy Ebdon, Becky Clennell, Regan Maughan, Cameron Dunn, Billy Crisp and Jordan Lightfoot.