Youngsters from Class 3b were given a Positive-Social Behaviour Award (PoSBO) by the Yorkshire Housing Group, for their work in the local community.

Each week the pupils visit nearby Sherwood Court Sheltered Housing in Kettlethorpe to spend time chatting and playing games with the elderly residents and helping to keep them entertained.

PoSBOs were invented by the housing organisation to highlight the fantastic work being done by young people, which is often overshadowed by negative news about the more common anti-social behaviour order.

Hendal Primary School was nominated by Paula Grogan, interim scheme manager at Sherwood Court.

She said: “The pupils are a breath of fresh air and bring so much joy and hope with them each week.

“The tenants love their visits and really look forward to them coming.”

The award was one of nine handed out across the region. The class was presented with a certificate at a special ceremony in Leeds last week.

It said: “It is ordered that the defendant, class 3b, is congratulated for engaging in conduct which causes or is likely to cause joy, jubilation or glee to others, and engaging in behaviour which is likely to be helpful, supportive and caring to others.”

The awards coincided with the Samaritans Beat Blue Monday campaign, which aimed to raise a smile and valuable funds for the charity on what was deemed to be the most depressing day of the year, January 22.

Naomi Selim, of the Yorkshire Housing Group, said: “I’m extremely pleased for all this year’s winners.

“We have so many young people all around us who have such a positive effect on their communities, yet seem to go unnoticed. The vast majority are excellent role-models and PoSBOs are a fantastic way of recognising their achievements.”