EVERY youngster in Lancashire is to benefit from a new scheme aimed at making the transition from primary to secondary school much smoother.

Education chiefs at Lancashire County Council have just completed a pilot project at a handful of secondary schools across the county, which aimed to help students in Year Six prepare for their switch to 'big school.'

Now its initial success and feedback from pupils who took part in the pilot has resulted in the green light being given for the 'Keep Cool@Secondary School" project to be run throughout Lancashire.

The initial pilot began at the end of the 2003 summer term, when teenagers from secondary schools visited primary schools to talk to pupils about what to expect when they make the step up.

Then, when the Year Six pupils arrived at high school, they were paired up with 'peer mentors' -- pupils from Years Nine and 10, ensuring the new arrivals had someone with experience on their side in the first few weeks.

Lancashire County Council's Healthy Schools Programme, in partnership with the Youth and Community team, has produced the support package, which was issued to the pilot secondary schools' 60 feeder primary schools at the end of the summer term.

It has also gone on sale to local education authorities across the country, and will be expanded to include all Lancashire secondary high schools over this year.

It includes lesson activities for teachers, illustrations from primary school youngsters, a support booklet for primary school youngsters, a board game for primary schools, a card game for secondary schools and a citizenship package for school councils.

The "Keep Cool@Secondary School" book offers all sorts of tips for pupils who have made the change from primary to secondary school, including advice on homework, bullying, making friends and getting to know their new teachers.

Lancashire County Council's Cabinet member for Education, County Councillor Alan Whittaker, said: "Moving from primary school to secondary school can be a daunting time for children.

"This support package will make a huge difference for Lancashire children."

Blackburn with Darwen said it also works with its secondary schools to ensure a smooth transition for pupils.

Schools which took part in the pilot include Albany High School, Chorley; Bishop Rawstorne Language College, Croston; Rishton Norden High School, Rishton; Hollins Technology College, Accrington; Hollins Technology College, Accrington; Mount Carmel RC High School, Accrington; Padiham Gawthorpe High School, Burnley; Walshaw High School, Burnley; Walton High School, Nelson; John Fisher and Thomas More RC High School, Colne and Alder Grange High School in Rawtenstall.