Pupils roll up sleeves and get to work cleaning classrooms

PUPILS aged five to 11 are vacuuming their classrooms at a primary school in South Devon to ‘learn respect and save money’.

At the end of each school day, 10 pupils volunteer to clean up classrooms at The Grove School in Totnes, after head teacher Hilary Priest learned that a similar practice was in place in Japan.

The school purchased the cordless vacuums in the hope the children would learn respect for the classroom by making them responsible for keeping it tidy.

A caretaker is employed at the school, but as the children are now cleaning up, no extra cleaners are needed, saving the school money.

Mrs Priest told the Daily Mail the children are enthusiastic about the new regime and hopes their parents will benefit at home as well.

In a newsletter to families last month, she said: “Your children may talk about the class hoover and being on a rota to use it at the end of each school day (Japanese style) – this is to encourage the children to respect their classroom space and tidy up after themselves as well as help Peter our caretaker with his managing to keep on top of a very full building.

“You may even find the children offering to Hoover up at home for you now as they do seem very keen.”

Each of the school’s 10 classrooms has a vacuum cleaner which pupils use on a rota.

Mrs Priest said: “We thought it was a good way to make sure everyone and the children respect our school and respect our environment.”

The reception class is exempt from cleaning duties, who are just “a bit too little”.

The Grove, which is rated outstanding by Ofsted, has been praised by inspectors for the excellent behaviour of its pupils.