A pioneering scheme aimed at mixing children and adults with learning disabilities through art has worked wonders at a Bierley school.

Every Wednesday, the children at Gregory Middle School, in Newhall Road, enjoy art classes with three adults from care providers Support Works in Bradford.

Senior support worker Jon Lane, brings Arif Khan, Janet Thompson and Andrew Heywood to the school as part of a project which is geared to integrating children and disabled people.

"We always hear talk of people with learning disabilities being brought into the community. In this case the community is being brought to school," he said.

The project has the backing of parents and school governors and is aimed at years five and seven.

The school's art co-ordinator, Joanne Donkin, said the scheme, now into its second month, has improved the interaction and behaviour of children.

"From day one the children took to the adults straight away. Even the quieter kids look forward to the sessions.

"They just get a kick out of the lessons. They help the trio paint, show them what to do and correct them when they do things wrong," she said.

Mr Lane believes that children, just like people with learning disabilities, do not have the same prejudices as other adults.

"All they see is a person who wants to draw and they do that. They laugh and play together and if a scheme like this proves to be success at this level, it will install positive thoughts about people with disabilities which they can carry with them into adulthood."

So attached have the children become to their new friends they get upset when the lessons end or when any of the trio are absent.

Ten-year-old Chelsea Thickett enjoys the classes and was not fazed by working with people with disabilities.

"Andrew makes me laugh,'' she said.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.