They were asked to think about the services, clubs and activities they and their families would like to take part in in the months to come.

The project, involving a ‘cluster’ of 14 schools in the area, is part of a national scheme to improve children’s lives by supporting them outside school as well as in.

It is being co-ordinated in south Leamington by Lauren Sturges who held an event in the Westbury Centre on Wednesday aimed at giving children a say in the process.

The of services under discussion are sports, music and arts activities, parental support and opportunities for family learning, childcare and making good use of school buildings.

The children helped produce questionnaires which will be distributed to parents.

Miss Sturges said: “We thought it was really important that the children were involved in working out how best to ask people what they want. It has been really successful.

“This was a group of students all willing to work alongside each other productively with no regard for any difference in age, school background or culture.

“The children decided we should keep the questionnaire to two pages, make it simple, clear and easy to understand, add colours and pictures and give children a box for their opinions.

“It was noted that some children are locked out of their family home when the parents have to go out.

“The pupils said they rarely mixed with pupils from other schools unless they played sport against them or they knew them from where they lived, and they said they would like to mix more.

“All the pupils said they would like to do more than they already do during the holidays as they get bored.”

Whitnash Primary 11-year-old Gurdeep Pol said he would like to see a mix of educational and fun activities being offered.

He said: “I would like to see a range of things that are fun but that you learn something from at the same time. Like maths and sweets.

“I already do basketball and boxing one night a week each and Tae Kwon Do too.

“I go to a cooking club in Warwick with my mum. You learn how to make basic things like pasta and pizza. It’s really good and sometimes we get a bit messy.

“It’s a good place to go to with your parents.”

Representatives from Warwickshire Police, Leamington children’s centres, Bath Place Community Venture, the Sydni Centre, 4 to 6 Clemens Street, Connexions and Action 21 are also involved in the project as well as the Family Information Service and the Council for Voluntary Service. Leamington police community support officer Stephen Nyirongo who was also there on Wednesday said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us at Warwickshire Police to be involved in extended services.

“It is a good chance for us to meet children and monitor their growth.