A BOLTON primary school has received a prestigious award for an innovative playground scheme that makes every child feel special.

Top o'th' Brow Primary School in Breightmet has an "excellent eight" system under which all pupils in the school are split into groups of eight.

The groups are made up of older and younger children and the idea is that the older children look after the younger ones and help resolve conflicts between them.

Older children are also able to learn a lesson in being responsible and the teams do activities together.

Now the school has been awarded a North-west and Greater Merseyside Inclusion award for the scheme.

Deputy head Beryl Booth said the school was delighted at the award.

"The 'excellent eight' system is a whole school approach to raise self-esteem and raise attainment at the same time," she said.

"In the system, eight children are put in a group starting with Year Six children down to reception and they support each other at play time. They don't play as a group - what happens is that the older ones watch out for the little ones."

Teams that are seen to be co-operating and working well together are rewarded by the school with treats such as special lunches.

Top o'th' Brow was rewarded for its good practice at a special awards ceremony at Blackpool Football Club. It was one of just seven schools across the region to receive the award. During the spring term, schools from 14 local education authorities in the region were invited to submit an application for the North-west Inclusion Awards.

The awards are aimed at schools that have had success in treating pupils and their parents or carers with respect, and making the whole school work as a community.

Examples of good practice, such as Top o'th' Brow's, will be collated so other schools in the North-west can benefit.

St Paul's Primary School, Bolton, was also nominated for the award.