TREASURE hunts and hip hop dancing replaced traditional classes at a pilot summer school held in Watford last week.

Holywell JMI School, Tolpits Lane, West Watford, hosted a summer scheme for gifted and talented Year 6 pupils, which aimed to alleviate the fear of moving on to secondary school.

Around 30 school-leavers took part in the programme, in which they were given Year 7 buddies from Westfield Community Technology College, where most of the children will be starting in September.

Holywell's headteacher Mahrukh Mistry, who organised the scheme, said: "Gifted and talented children often lose sight when they start secondary school. It's all so different.

"By giving them buddies we wanted to show that there are positive role models."

The programme incorporated French, IT and problem solving, but the activities, held all last week at Holywell, were far from ordinary.

The French day included bingo, a treasure hunt and crepe-making.

The children were also taught hip hop dancing and received the basic qualification in first aid from the British Red Cross.

Ms Mistry said: "We wanted a modern, enriched curriculum and one that the children would enjoy."

Each Year 7 student was a buddy to a group of pupils, who came from St Anthony's, Chater Junior, Field Junior and Holy Rood as well as the host school.

The participants, selected by their teachers, were chosen for skill in sport, technology and music, not just academic ability.

Ashley Kavanagh-King, 12, from Westfield College, said: "I saw the scheme as a good opportunity to help Year 6s make the transition.

"I remember how difficult it was when I started secondary school."

Liam Chopping, 11, from Field Junior, said: "We did things we wouldn't normally do. French is usually about culture and writing, but this was fun."

Joe McCusker, 11, from St Anthony's, said: "I enjoyed working with the Year 7s. They were really supportive."

Rebecca Montgomery, 11, also from St Anthony's, will be attending Watford Grammar School for Girls in autumn. She said: "Even though I'm not going to Westfield, it's still made me more confident about starting secondary school."