SIXTH formers from Bolton School are giving up their sports lessons to help struggling youngsters learn to read and write as part of a Government scheme launched today.

The 17-year-old boys from the private school will help pupils due to start at Mount St Joseph Comprehensive in September.

They will make friends with the younger pupils in a bid to set them good examples and boost their standards of reading and writing.

It is part of a national experiment announced by Schools' Minister Stephen Byers aimed at raising standards by forging links between historic independent schools and local comprehensives.

A joint project linking junior girls at Bolton School with pupils at Daisy Hill CE Primary has also been picked as one of just 48 pilot projects to be funded nationally.

Nearly 300 schools applied or places on the £600,000 scheme funded by the Sutton Trust and the Government.

Mount St Joseph won £11,000 to train about 25 sixth formers to carry out special one-to-one Wednesday afternoon literacy lessons with pupils from feeder primaries.

The teenagers will also share meals, go on educational trips and run a summer literacy school for younger pupils who need extra help before starting secondary school.

Struggling pupils from St Ethelbert's, St William's, St Peter and Paul's, St Gregory's, Our Lady of Lourdes and St Theresa's primary schools will benefit.

But Bolton School head Alan Wright said it would be a two way process and his volunteers would also gain from the scheme.

He said: "They will be making a huge sacrifice because they are forfeiting their sports afternoon.

"But they will get responsibility, effective specialist training, the chance to put that training into practice and the reward of seeing young people make progress."

Mount St Joseph head Penny Walker added: "We hope this will be the beginning of a close working relationship with Bolton School." Daisy Hill Primary have also been awarded £12,000 to set up a joint project with Bolton School Girls' Division.

The money will fund a video conference link between the two schools and other equipment needed for the "Electric Dreams" project.

Launching the national scheme, Mr Byers said: "Old divisions have to be put to one side if we are serious about learning about what works well.

"Each of the 48 successful projects clearly demonstrates how independent and state schools can work together to enhance the educational opportunities of pupils from the schools involved."

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