CHILDREN at a primary school have been chosen as junior wardens in a scheme designed to get them more involved in their neighbourhood.

Twelve Year 6 pupils at Drove Primary School in Drove Road have been picked by staff for an initiative that will help them to become good citizens.

The project has been devised by two Police Community Support Officers, Kevin “Patch” Swindle and Kara Marriner.

PCSO Swindle said: “Drove is a very forward-looking school and they have embraced the idea with enthusiasm. The 12 junior wardens are meeting once a week in an after-school club.

“Swindon Community Safety Partnership is supplying them with reflective jackets and T-shirts and the children have designed a badge to go on their uniforms.

“They will be going out into the locality to do a ‘recce’, checking for things like litter, flytipping, graffiti and damaged play equipment in the park.

“We also want to work with them to get them thinking about personal safety, especially as the nights are now drawing in.”

PCSO Marriner said: “We want the youngsters to build a relationship with us and to take a pride in their area around their school. In return, we want them to feel valued and for their efforts to be rewarded.”

New headteacher Helen Swanson said: “This is a splendid idea and I was delighted to give it my support.

“The children will be supervised on their trips around the neighbourhood and they will report back to the two PCSOs on any problems they come across.

“I have no doubt that this project will have spin-off benefits for the school as well as for the 12 pupils chosen to take part.”CHILDREN at a primary school have been chosen as junior wardens in a scheme designed to get them more involved in their neighbourhood.

Twelve Year 6 pupils at Drove Primary School in Drove Road have been picked by staff for an initiative that will help them to become good citizens.

The project has been devised by two Police Community Support Officers, Kevin “Patch” Swindle and Kara Marriner.

PCSO Swindle said: “Drove is a very forward-looking school and they have embraced the idea with enthusiasm. The 12 junior wardens are meeting once a week in an after-school club.

“Swindon Community Safety Partnership is supplying them with reflective jackets and T-shirts and the children have designed a badge to go on their uniforms.

“They will be going out into the locality to do a ‘recce’, checking for things like litter, flytipping, graffiti and damaged play equipment in the park.

“We also want to work with them to get them thinking about personal safety, especially as the nights are now drawing in.”

PCSO Marriner said: “We want the youngsters to build a relationship with us and to take a pride in their area around their school. In return, we want them to feel valued and for their efforts to be rewarded.”

New headteacher Helen Swanson said: “This is a splendid idea and I was delighted to give it my support.

“The children will be supervised on their trips around the neighbourhood and they will report back to the two PCSOs on any problems they come across.

“I have no doubt that this project will have spin-off benefits for the school as well as for the 12 pupils chosen to take part.”