Reception children from a Nailsea primary school have been assigned buddies to help them settle into school life.

Year six children from St Francis Primary School, in Station Road, will support the new starters during the autumn term.

The older pupils will be able to offer advice, help them out if they get lost and provide support if they are on their own.

A school spokesman said: “At St Francis Primary School, year six children become buddies for the new reception children in autumn term.

“This enables the older children to act as role models and support younger children.

“They have been reading picture books to the reception children and learning song together to prepare for their joint welcome assembly for the school.”

Reading with the younger children also helps year six pupils to practise reading out loud.