CURLING up in a comfy chair wearing a favourite pair of slippers is all in a day’s work for children at a North-East school which has improved behaviour and attendance by banning shoes.

It’s 2pm on a Friday afternoon at Jesmond Gardens primary in Hartlepool yet instead of the noisy clatter of footsteps and doors banging there is tranquil hush, despite having 350 pupils on its roll.

The new £7m building has been praised for its innovative architecture which includes classrooms with removable walls, spongy chairs for sprawling on during lessons and even a chill-out room which headteacher Jane Loomes likens to a ‘padded cell’ for frustrated children who may need to punch a wall safely.

However. unlike in most schools, pupils' work does not adorn the walls due to a ban on staples and drawing pins but rather than of only writing at desks they are allowed to lie on their fronts on carpet.

And instead of wearing regulation clumpy black shoes they are encouraged to bring their tattiest trainers to play in outside and express their individuality through colourful socks and slippers.

The no-shoes policy was adopted to complement design features such as acoustic panels and laminate flooring but has resulted in a significant shift in attitudes throughout the school.

“Why do we make children sit up straight on a chair?” Mrs Loomes asked. “If I am at home I do not go to the dining room to read a book, I am curled up in a comfortable chair.

“Creating a safe, homely, feeling here is paramount. Some children go home from here to very mixed up lives and I would say that we try to compensate for that. I think some would rather be here than go home.”

The school was officially opened last summer by Professor Stephen Heppell, a shoeless learning guru, who believes the ethos can lead to better behaviour, cleaner floors and reduced bullying.

Mrs Loomes agreed, adding: “The impact this has had on the children is amazing. Attendance is up and there is a significant improvement in behaviour. They are listening more and because the building is so small there is no hiding place so no anti-social behaviour.”