SWOTTING up for their GCSEs has been proving profitable for East Lancashire pupils in more ways than one.

Children at Fearns Community Sports College have been swapping their revision for shopping vouchers as part of an imaginative incentive scheme for exam time.

Some eager learners have earned as much as £40 for their extra-curricular efforts at the Stacksteads high school as part of the GCSE Success card scheme.

For every 10 points collected by youngsters, they are entitled to a £10 Love to Shop voucher, which is redeemable at thousands of high street stores.

English and maths revision has been one of the main focuses of the initiative, with pupils able to rack up double ‘points’.

Pupils typically get one point for a session.

The scheme has been paid for by a Government grant.

Deputy headteacher Helen Stead said the revision sessions had to last between 45 minutes and an hour.

While points have been on offer for English and maths since the start of the year, the other subjects only came on line at the February half-term holidays.

Mrs Stead added: “It has gone down really well and we have found it is a really good way of encouraging students to revise.

“We have also been able to say that the points can count towards tickets for the annual prom night, or the school leavers’ hoodie.”

Not only are revison spots being offered after lessons, but the Booth Road school has hosted its own breakfast cramming sessions.

The pupils can continue to earn points for their early-morning cribbing, but only if it’s not on the day of the exam.

“A few of the students have been coming in early, to work with staff, and we have been able to ensure they are well fed and ready for their exams,” added Mrs Stead.