PUPILS from a Bexleyheath school are getting ahead in learning after completing a leadership course.

Fifteen Year 9 boys from St Columba's School took part in the programme aimed at preparing them for their GCSE year and to help them develop their leadership skills.

Run by poet and lawyer David Neita, they took part in a series of workshops focusing on areas such as self awareness, power and political intelligence, emotional intelligence, achievement and the community.

They were also given a chance to write poetry and were presented with a CD of their work.

In the final session the boys, all from the black community, were given a tour of the House of Commons and the House of Lords and met Baroness Rosalind Howells and asked her about racism, hip hop music and its effect on young people.

There are plans to extend the programme to allow other schools in the borough to take part using funding from the borough's Aimhigher programme.