A SCHOOL in Newton Aycliffe is opening its doors to students wanting to develop their mathematical skills.

The second Woodham Numeracy Summer School, open to year six pupils from the town's primary schools, will run from next Monday to August 24.

Marie Adamson, community development coordinator at Woodham Community Technology College, said: "Although the summer school is short and intense, the main priority is to make it an enjoyable learning experience.

"The commitment of staff and students will be a powerful learning combination."

Pupils will be rewarded for hard work on a daily basis, and at the end of the summer school there will be an awards ceremony.

The programme coordinator is Nicky Blackford, maths teacher at Woodham, who is looking forward to meeting some of the youngsters who will be attending as year seven students from September. The school has a busy programme of activities throughout the summer holidays.

Grassroots, a company providing sports and activity courses, was in the school all last week helping to develop the skills of youngsters aged seven to 14.

Splash 2001, a scheme funded by the Youth Justice Board and coordinated by Aycliffe Young People's Centre, is also running during the holidays.

The project includes camping trips, rock climbing, mountain biking, drawing and textiles workshops, canoeing, white-water rafting, drama and dance workshops, sports, trials bikes and horse riding.