Dagenham pupils celebrated after successfully taking part in an educational programme helping parents to boost the performance of their children at school.

Schoolchildren at Dorothy Barley Junior in Ivinghoe Road were ecstatic this month as they graduated from the Families and Schools Together project spearheaded by the Save the Children charity.

The FAST programme, launched in 1988, coaches parents to lead activities for their offspring, play with them and share a meal together.

Teachers report a 10 per cent improvement in the 3Rs, together with better behaviour and stronger families.

Dorothy Barley administration officer Keeley White said: “We may get funding for further programmes in the future. We would therefore like to promote this to families that have not been involved in the project.”