AYRESOME Primary School in Middlesbrough prides itself on being able to unlock the hidden talents of all its pupils.

Links with arts and sporting professionals means youngsters get to try, practise and excel in disciplines from music and dance to gymnastics and football. The arts are used to make the curriculum more appealing to youngsters.

The school saw the Shine Festival as the ideal opportunity to display the talents pupils have been working hard to develop.

The Shine Schools Festival aims to challenge the narrow perceptions of talent promoted on X-Factor type television shows.

More than one million children signed up nationally to put on a range of events spanning the arts, music, theatre sports and enterprise.

As part of the festival, Ayresome Primary, in Worcester Street, Middlesbrough, held an open day to show off activities including music, PE and ICT.

Emma Cooper, creative arts leader, said: “We thought Shine was a wonderful opportunity to promote what we are doing and celebrate the success and talents of the children.”