PRIMARY school children have been going out of their way to undertake 'random acts of kindness' across Radcliffe as part of a week of activities to help them de-stress.

To celebrate the end of SATs, St John's Church of England Primary School decided to hold a wellbeing week, giving the entire school a week off timetable.

Visits from donkeys, ice cream treats and talks about positivity were among the activities organised in school, as pupils focused on the themes 'look after yourself' and 'look after each other'.

Headteacher Anna-Claire Withey said: "The pressure children are under during SATs week is quite phenomenal.

"We thought we would have a week where we felt good and helped each other feel good.

"The children have been fantastic. One of our classes decided to draw pictures and write wellbeing messages and post them through random doors on the way home from school.

"Another class bought flowers which they handed out to people as they walked home, just to make others feel good.

"Others handed out ice creams to peers at school, or offered to help the dinner staff wipe tables.

"The whole week was about standing together as a community, and helping each other to feel better because we have a lot to be grateful for."

Instead of lessons, pupils arriving at St John's on Monday morning got to spend time with visiting donkeys from The Donkey Sanctuary in Manchester.

Every child painted a pebble with the Manchester bee, and wrote messages of love and hope that were hung on trees in the playground.

A representative from Manchester-based organisation 42nd Street, which supports young people experiencing mental health difficulties, visited the school to speak with Year 2 and Year 6 classes.

Pupils also spent an afternoon at Asda in Radcliffe, handing out chocolates and helping residents to pack their shopping bags.

On Thursday, Year 5s made their way to Rose Court Nursing Home in Water Street, where they handed out flowers to older residents before reading them stories and playing games.

Year 6 pupil Dacey Prentice, aged 10, said: "We have been able to draw bees and write messages of hope on hearts - I drew 22 bees on my heart.

"I went down to Asda, which was good because we helped people from our community and gave them free chocolates.

"People were really kind and gave us funds for school because we were being helpful packing their bags.

"We will also raise money for The Donkey Sanctuary who came to school. The donkeys were adorable and well looked after."

Ms Withey said: "I am so proud of our children and our community and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped make this week a success, in particular Heather Birkett-Rothwell who has created some wonderful opportunities for our children."