SCHOOL was somewhat different for nine year-old David Cross when he became Minety School's headteacher for the day.

Instead of sorting his homework he had to check the registers and make sure all the teachers and pupils were in attendance.

Then he had to find time to perform a rap song in assembly

David joined headteacher Bernard Crooks on Friday to spend a day in the hot seat, after his parents bid for the honour in a fundraising auction of promises.

"It's been better than being a pupil," said David. "I don't have to do as much work, I get biscuits and tea and get to tell people off. I think it's much better."

David's day began at 8.15am, joining Mr Crooks at the school and opening the day's post.

"When I was in bed the night before I was excited and wondering what I would have to do."

He said after opening the post he had to write a letter to all the teachers telling them what was coming up this term.

"I also had to make sure there was no broken glass in the playground and people came in without running in the wrong places or coming through the hedge."

At 10.40am it was off with the year five pupils to Crudwell School for an art exhibition.

The pupils returned just after 12pm and David was able to enjoy lunch with his friends, and fit in 20 minutes' playtime, before he was asked to ring the bell for a fire drill and write to Crudwell School to thank them for inviting the Minety pupils. At the end of the day David said he had mixed feelings about returning to life as a pupil.

"I'm not sure if I'd like to be a teacher or not but on Monday it will be back to normal," he said.