TALENTED children at a Burnley primary school are being encouraged to share their skills and talents with classmates.

A group of 15 pupils from Casterton Primary School have been identified for the Able, Gifted and Talented programme because of their academic ability, or because of a special talent in sport, music or art.

The children, who are in years five and six, are not regarded as an elite, but are encouraged to share ideas with their fellow pupils and take the lead in class discussions or act as peer mentors.

In classes, the more able pupils work alongside the rest of the group, but will often look at an issue in more depth and might be asked to work on the computer to research a subject before reporting back to their classmates.

The school secured £8,000 Government funding to take part in the programme, which will be spent on staff training, inviting special guests to speak to the pupils, learning resources and trips.

Sue Parkin, who co-ordinates the project at the school, said: "Every child needs as much help as they can get whatever level they are working to.

"These children are potentially the professionals of the future and they need experience of working independently and taking on extra responsibility at this age.

"Working with the more able pupils has a positive affect on the whole school as it raises standards across the board.

"The other children tend to copy the behaviour of the ones who have been identified as more able and this leads to a willingness to learn throughout the school."

Casterton pupil Leigh Martin, 11, said: "I like helping my friends in class and making sure that we are all following what is going on.

"I like the responsibility and it's interesting being able to do extra work sometimes which we bring back to the rest of the class."

Fellow pupil David Wallace, also 11, said: "I really enjoy helping my friends if they are struggling and it's good being able to go on the internet to look into things in more detail."

Lancashire County Council said it is keen for all of its schools to meet the needs of their able, gifted and talented pupils and has issued guidelines to help teachers and governors.

Extending provision for these youngsters is a national priority as research has shown that they do not always achieve their true potential.