DARLINGTON Building Society staff have been helping children develop their maths, business and communications skills.

Julie Bourne and Ben Harland led an interactive class for youngsters in Years Four, Five, Six and Seven at Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough, in east Cleveland.

The activity was organised by Trust 4 Learning, an organisation that aims to improve pupil aspiration and attainment in nine schools.

Julie, who is Redcar and Guisborough District Manager, said: "It was a privilege to be able to give our time to help the children. We led an interactive class aimed at stimulating their imaginations, teaching communication skills, how to go about problem solving and how to work together toward a common goal."

Trust 4 Learning is a collaboration of nine secondary and primary schools working with partners including Darlington Building Society, Coast & Country, Prior Pursglove College, Teesside University, Redcar and Cleveland College, The Centre for Process Innovation, and The Sage Gateshead.

The Trust which involves 4,750 pupils, hopes to stimulate their creative and entrepreneurial energies. It seeks to promote inspiring, innovating and inclusive education, encourage social equality and good citizenship and foster dynamic partnerships.

Tony Hobbs, Chief Executive of Trust 4 Learning, said: "Developing mathematics skills is extremely important and today, with the help of Darlington Building Society and Prior Pursglove College's help our young learners have made really good progress."