A SCHOOL that has no problem getting its pupils to lessons on time has held a power breakfast with one of Britain's most famous business faces.

Digby Jones, the director-general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) visited Carr Hill Primary School's Breakfast CLub, in Gateshead, to see at first hand how business and schools can form community partnerships and links.

The Breakfast Club, which has been running for three years thanks to support and funding from local businesses, is now attracting up to 150 pupils from 8am onwards, five days a week.

The club is staffed by volunteer parents, including one of the school's existing lunchtime supervisors, and is monitored by a rota of senior teachers.

Children, aged four to 11, who come to the club can choose a drink of juice, fresh fruit, cereal, toast and a cup of tea.

Once a week, a cooked breakfast of beans, spaghetti or scrambled eggs on toast is also offered to pupils.

After breakfast, youngsters can play snakes and ladders, ludo, dominoes, build with Lego or use colouring books.

As well as helping parents with early morning child-minding, the club has seen regular attendance and punctuality amongst pupils improve significantly.

Headteacher Callum Kidd said: "We were delighted Digby Jones took the time to visit our school and see at first hand how the Breakfast Club has been a huge success among pupils, teachers and parents.

"The scheme has made our pupils more aware of their responsibility to get to school on time, and we have found that they are more interested in lessons and learning, right from the very start of the school day."