More than a thousand children will be having fun while they learn this summer holiday as they take part in a "children's university".

Youngsters at three schools in the Basildon District have already started finding out more about the environment and improving their literacy and numeracy skills at the extra summer classes.

Wild about learning - Amber Pittard, nine, shows off the clay cheetah she made Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

And another six schools - all members of the East Basildon Education Action Zone - are planning activities over the next few weeks.

Pupils at St Margaret's Primary School in London Road, Bowers Gifford, Felmore Primary School in Felmores End, Basildon, and Cherrytree Primary in Church Road, Basildon, have visited Colchester Zoo this week as they discovered more about animals from around the world and recycling.

Candice Viljoen, ten, a Cherrytree School student, said: "I really like it here as we are having a lot of fun."

A hundred youngsters at the school made an animal enclosure this week, found out about creatures from around the world, and improved their science skills and computing talents in the process.

Liz Thomas, who is co-ordinating the sessions at the school, said: "It is going very well. The children are well behaved and are having fun."

Published Friday, August 1, 2003

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