PUPILS from Bushey Meads School were in the spotlight this week when they launched their literacy project, the Living Library, at the Barclays New Futures regional conference in London this week.

The event was held in Victoria on Tuesday.

The school, in Coldharbour Lane, was awarded £3,000 last September by UK's largest education sponsorship scheme, Barclays New Futures.

The scheme, which donates more than £1 million in funds, resources and professional support to schools across the UK, is designed to promote the development of skills for life, work and citizenship.

The awards are made to schools that identify creative and innovative projects to tackle issues affecting young people and their local comm- unities.

As part of the school's Living Library scheme, a programme of after-school activities which encourages young people to use the resources at the school library has been introduced.

Pupils joined forces to create a range of worksheets and organise treasure trails, introductory sessions to the internet and visits from authors.

Teacher Mrs Karen Ainley, who has followed the success of the project from day one, said: "The Living Library Project gives primary pupils the opportunity to enjoy our facilities, easing the transition for Year 6 pupils.

"The students at Bushey Meads have benefited from working as a team member and showing commitment to the project.

"The project has allowed the students to develop their own personal level of achievement."

The conference attended by schools from throughout the south east, gave pupils the chance to view the different ways in which schools had used their allocated funds to help the wider community.

July 4, 2002 15:30