THREE thousand year 11 pupils have started to receive their free support packs - featuring wireless headphones, stationary and an exam preparation toolkit - as part of a £2.8m project.

Part of Barnsley Council’s Great Childhoods Ambition programme, the packs contain everything pupils need to make sure they are ready to learn and fully prepared to revise, sit their exams or assessments and take their next steps into adulthood.

They also include a portable power bank and revision material.

To launch the scheme, Coun Ashley Peace, cabinet spokesperson for children’s services, handed out packs to pupils at Outwood Academy Shafton.

He said “It was an honour to hand out our phenomenal support packs which were gratefully received by all.

“They really are fantastic and contain everything that our year 11 pupils will need in their final year.

“It’s also wonderful to see that as well as study equipment and resources, the packs also contain health and wellbeing support, which is a crucial component in making sure our young people remain happy and healthy.

“We want every young person starting their final year at school to have all the resources and equipment they need so they’re prepared, ready to learn and ready to succeed.”