CHILDREN at a summer school followed in the footsteps of US President George Bush.

The event at Sedgefield Community College was for gifted and talented pupils who are due to start at the school next month.

About 30 children from feeder primary schools in Sedgefield, Fishburn, Bishop Middleham, Trimdon Colliery and Trimdon Grange took part in the initiative.

English teacher Colette Smith, study support co-ordinator at the college, organised the event, helped by three Sedgefield pupils who took part in the course last year.

She said: "It was about how their brains work and how they can become more effective workers by learning how to use their brains properly."

Much of the theory for the summer school came from an organisation called the University of the First Age.

The college has received funding so that it will become a partner of the initiative from September, when Miss Smith will host a series of "super-learning" days for each year group.

Mr Bush got a flavour of super-learning when he visited the school last year with Prime Minister Tony Blair.

As part of the summer school, pupils had to produce a mind map - President Bush coloured in a Simpsons mind map on his visit - and learned about team building exercises. They also visited the college's working farm, where they helped to muck out pigs, collect eggs from hens and ducks, and walk dogs.