A SCHOOL has launched a reward scheme with a difference, by awarding their young pirates gold coins for good behaviour.

Pirates of old may have used more unscrupulous methods to acquire hoards of gold, but children at Woodlea Primary School are filling up their treasure chests by using good behaviour and hard work.

Pupils at the school in Fencehouses, near Houghton-le-Spring, have been divided into eight bands of pirates and then rewarded with gold coins for exceptional behaviour. The coins go into a treasure chest guarded by a model of their pirate and the children with the biggest hoard are taken on a trip at the end of term.

Last Wednesday a pirate party was held to launch the scheme.

Headteacher Peter Robinson said: "It's been absolutely brilliant. The reward scheme and the party have been a huge success."