A PROJECT to boost language skills at a north Durham school has proved so successful that it is being expanded.

For two years South Stanley Infant School has been running an initiative aimed at increasing the powers of communication among reception- age pupils.

It has had such an impact that from next year, it will be rolled out to all nine primary and infant schools in the Stanley Green Corridor, which takes in Craghead, New Kyo, South Moor, South Stanley and Quaking Houses.

Pat Oughtibridge, headteacher, said: "One of the biggest issues we have to deal with is children coming into school with problems with their speech or language.

"Without improving communication skills, we cannot raise attainment in literacy.

"We had some reserve funds so we employed another early years teacher and it has proved a big success."

The scheme will be funded over the next three years with a £150,000 grant from the Stanley Green Corridor Neighbourhood Regeneration Partnership, plus funding from Sure Start Stanley and other agencies.

The money will provide resources and pay wages for an early years teacher, plus funding to employ and train 12 classroom assistants.

Ernest Dobson, regeneration partnership chairman, said: "We commissioned research which identified that there were a number of children who did not need speech therapy, for example, but were slightly behind in their language development.

"If there is not some intervention at age four, these kids will be disadvantaged in the classroom right the way through school and will underachieve.

"It is early days yet, but so far it seems to be getting a very good response."

Sure Start speech therapist Kirstie Page and South Stanley's early years teacher, Eleanor Johnson, have devised a handbook and resource pack that will go out to schools taking part.

The book is designed to boost children's communication skills through the use of games and activities such as singing.

It concentrates on core vocabulary related to the home, food, clothes, transport and animals.

Mrs Johnson said: "This is not a Stanley problem, it is countrywide and affects children from every strata of society.

"We felt this was making a real difference in South Stanley and thanks to this funding, we have the opportunity to address it in schools across the area."