STUDENTS have been helping children get to grips with science in an initiative designed to boost learning.

Youngsters from the Allertonshire School, Northallerton, teamed up with children with severe learning difficulties from the Dales School, Morton-on-Swale, to explore the realms of science.

Six students with profound disabilities spent the morning in the labs at the Allertonshire working with a variety of materials.

Allertonshire School students helped them tackle experiments and in return developed their skills of working with others.

Dales School teacher Carolyn Roberts said: “It has been great on a variety of levels. It allowed our students to mix with their peers in a safe environment with plenty of people around.

“On top of the social aspect, they benefited from modelling behaviour; they saw how the Allertonshire School pupils worked in the lab and how to operate the equipment.

“We really noticed how good the pupils were with our children and I think it has helped them develop patience to help our students engage with their studies.”

Allertonshire School science teacher Patricia Green added: “It has worked extremely well and it has been really good to see our Year 8s interacting with children of different abilities.”

Allertonshire School student Jamie Woodburn, 12, added: “I have really enjoyed the session, helping the students feel things used in the experiments. It makes you feel really good about yourself helping other students enjoy themselves.”