INQUISITIVE youngsters have been racing to get to school in the morning so they can carry out their own investigations.

The 8.30 Club at Somers Park Primary School in Malvern has seen Year 6 pupils run to school in order to get on to the computers.

Fifty-eight Year 6 pupils have been extending their thinking skills beyond normal lessons in order to learn about other subjects that interest them.

"It's all about giving them independence and responsibility," said headteacher Stuart Sewell.

"When we started we thought maybe 10 or 12 would turn up, but virtually all of them have joined. You see them running to school in the morning.

"The curriculum in primary schools is very much given to them. They're constantly having to absorb information but this is independent learning and thinking about their learning.

"The fact they turn up in such numbers shows the success."

The pupils have access to BBC websites, as well as books in the library to help in their research.

The first few topics could be chosen by the pupils. Topics included Lord Of The Rings, space and a time capsule.

The school has now set them the task of reporting on school issues and creating their own newsletter.

"The 8.30 Club is a good idea because you learn extra stuff in the mornings," said Mark Sparrey, aged 11.

"When you get up in the morning there's nothing to do but if you come into school you can do a project.

"My last project was on space because I thought that would be an interesting thing to learn about. I found out lots of things from the internet and the library."

The club has spilled over into another computer suite due to the huge interest of Year 6 pupils. Although they are not closely supervised a teacher is always in the room at the same time.

"You have to get here extra early to be able to get on a computer," said Sarah Edwards, 11.

She has done a project with classmate Emma Baker on a time capsule to be left for pupils in 500 years to discover what life is like in 2003.

Emma is now one of the writers on the Somers Star, which is a monthly publication featuring interviews, jokes and skateboarding tips, among others.