GROWN-UPS have been returning to the classroom to help themselves and their children brush up on learning skills.

Eleven adults have been spending Fridays with their children at Alverton infant and nursery school, in Northallerton, where they have been involved in fun activities to help develop maths and English skills.

The county's executive member for schools, Councillor John Watson, said: "This initiative has been far-reaching. It has allowed parents to experience what their children are being taught in school and hone their own literacy and numeracy skills at the same time.

"It has also been successful in encouraging parents to spend time studying at home, which improves children's school work.

"Some of the adults have gained a qualification with the Open College Network and this has increased the adults' confidence to go on with further studies. Everyone involved in the project is to be congratulated."

An assembly was held to celebrate their achievements and mark the end of the course. Teacher Jean Stewart said: "They all worked hard every Friday and have had a really good year."

North Yorkshire County Council education service's skills for life manager, Linda Burgon, presented children and parents with certificates.