TEACHERS from six Bexley primary schools have been back to the classroom to learn how to help pupils write creatively.

They were launching a new teaching network, funded with £15,000 from the Department for Education and Skills, which uses a variety of initiatives to boost children's achievements, offer support and share ideas.

To help get the network under way, the teachers invited minstrel storyteller Robert Parkinson and poet Brian Moses.

Mr Parkinson advised teachers about the importance of speaking and listening and the ability to tell stories verbally in helping children to write down their ideas.

Mr Moses spoke about methods teachers can use to get children interested in writing and poetry and performed some of his work.

The six church schools taking part are St Michael's CofE and St Stephen's RC schools in Welling; St Joseph's RC and St Paulinus CofE schools in Crayford; St Fidelis RC School in Erith and St Peter Chanel RC School in Sidcup.

Among ideas for the developing the network further are children's workshops with Mr Moses, drama and debating projects and a joint writing competition among gifted children from the different schools.

Teachers will also have more training events and also organise a bank of resources to share between them, joint teaching and a network of support for advice.