A group of classroom assistants were due to be presented with Open University certificates today to mark the completion of a specialist teaching course.

The 12 assistants, who work in Swindon infant and primary schools, have spent the year working on the Specialist Teaching Assistant course which involves both practical and academic work.

Each of the assistants also had to submit a final portfolio of work with school-based and written tasks for assessment.

Cabinet lead member for lifelong learning, Coun Chris Eley (Labour, Walcot), said: "We are very proud of the work which classroom assistants do in our schools, supporting high levels of achievement with the children with whom they work."