THESE bright young things could not wait until the end of the Easter holidays to go back to school.

So Gaskell Primary School threw open its gates last Thursday and Friday for eager year six youngsters, who were queuing up to come in before 9am.

Zohsheen Ahmed, aged 11, said: "Normally my parents have to wake me up, but I was so excited I got up and ready without being told to.

"I knew that many pupils would turn up because we have been looking forward to it."

In the morning nearly 40 children took part in "booster sessions" with teachers helping them master areas in which they wanted help, before taking part in PE, arts and crafts and other fun activities.

Headteacher Emily Kirk said: "The idea to open the school in the last two days of the Easter holiday came from children — they love coming into school.

"When I used to come into school during the holidays they would be playing in the yard and would ask if they could come into school.

"They have been so excited looking forward to these two days."

The school started opening its gates to year six children a couple of years ago after speaking to youngsters and parents.

Miss Kirk said: "It is not compulsory but we have had 39 out of 45 children come in — some couldn't make it because they were away on holiday.

"Year six is an important year for the children, and these two days are hugely beneficial for them — but children in other years want to come into school too.

"Holidays are so important for children, but two weeks is a quite a long time and opening the school days before the end of the break helps them get back into learning.

"They are ready to learn when they start back, and get extra help with areas they do not feel confident with.

“The sessions will help them get ready for their SATS, but they are not just about the exams — it's about building on their love of learning and helping them do as well as they can.

"We call it the Easter club and the children really enjoy it.”

She added: “We couldn’t put these on without the dedication of the teachers we have here, who feel that these two days are really worthwhile.”

On Thursday afternoon, to celebrate their hard work, youngsters tucked into pizza.

Children will return to school as normal on Tuesday.

Aseem Patel, aged 11, who has ambitions to be a pilot, said: “I came because I want to get a high level in my SATs, but I really enjoyed playing football.”

Zohsheen, who wants to be a doctor, added: “The teachers are really kind to put on these classes for us — they have been really good.”