PUPILS have been helping each other out as part of a new scheme at a Chester-le-Street school.

Older children at Bullion Lane Primary School have been tutoring youngsters in year two. The tutoring takes place over a three-week period with up to four lessons a week.

The idea is based on research by Professor Carol Fitzgibbon, of Durham University.

Year six teacher Kay Ferguson said: "The benefit for year two children is that they receive individual tuition of their programme of study.

"Year six children have raised their self-esteem as well as their attainment levels as they have had to think carefully about the teaching methods they need to use to deliver the work."

Children have been matched so more able year six work with more able year two.

Mrs Ferguson said: "The cross-phase tutoring has been so successful we are hoping to continue running it one day a week until the end of the school year."