AN initiative which encourages North-East schoolchildren to be more creative and innovative in the classroom has been chosen to illustrate how the national curriculum could develop.

The Foresight North-East team has been working with 13 and 14-year-olds across the region for nearly two years by encouraging them to think creatively about future technology.

Projects have ranged from building models to visiting local companies, such as packaging firm Smurfit at West Auckland, County Durham and research company Peratech, in Stockton, to see how technology can help their businesses in the future.

The Foresight team is managed by Sunderland company RTC North, which helps businesses and universities harness technology and become more competitive.

In a meeting of technology teachers and researchers from Brunel and Goldsmiths Universities, the Foresight scheme was put forward as having a positive impact on curriculum development.

Senior Foresight executive, Michael Walker, said: "Being chosen as an excellent example of how creativity and innovation can be encouraged in youngsters is a great accolade."