PUPILS at Parish Primary were presented with gold sashes as a reward for learning new skills including socialising and first aid.

The school launched its 'Parish University’ in a bid to instil work hard and resilience into the children and to give them self-belief that they can achieve their goals.

The pupils have taken part in courses on a range of topics including engineering, first aid, social skills and computer programming.

Children taking part were presented with the sashes, with recent MBE winner Joanne Griffiths, recently presenting the first honours for social skills.

It is intended for the school to have a graduation ceremony, linked with the University of Liverpool, at the end of the year.

"It has been really successful and we want the children to believe they can fulfil their dreams," said deputy head teacher Mark Thomas.

"We want to encourage high aspirations and we have a motto of work hard, have dreams and believe in yourself.

"It has been hugely well attended and we have got almost 50 going to the university it is something we want to run for a few years."