TWO Keighley pupils are believed to have become the youngest school governors in the country.

Eleven-year-olds Joseph Igo and Jamie Hutchinson have been elected to the governing body at Long Lee Primary School.

The pair, who already work as managers in the school's own pupil office, have big plans for their roles as associate governors.

Joseph said: "We have been doing so many things in the pupil office and we went to a governors' meeting to talk about it. At the meeting we were invited to join as associate governors. I am excited and proud."

Jamie added: "A governor is a person who runs schools. They make teachers go to their jobs and make the school a better place for teachers and pupils."

Both boys will attend daytime meetings once a term to ensure the voice of their peers is heard and will vote on important decisions.

Joseph plans to find out what measures will "help the teachers to do their jobs better" while Jamie aims to look at what could be done to improve security and increase the number of CCTV cameras.

Both are keen to pass on the views of fellow pupils on a whole host of topics as and when they arise.

"We are both very proud to come to the school and that we are the first two pupil governors," said Jamie.

Long Lee recorded another first recently when it opened its pupil office, with five desks staffed by pupils for pupils, a computer and laptop.

If children have questions on one of five topics - health and safety, learning, peer mediation, the environment or community - they can enter the office before school and during lunchtimes to seek help and advice. Children can apply for jobs with each team.

Head teacher Louise Smith said she and the governing body had been impressed by both boys.

"They gave a presentation on how they run the pupil office and it seemed a natural progression that they would be part of the governing body, " she said.

"The governors were surprised at how well-organised and articulate they both were. We had to decide on their appointment formally and thought it would be a good way forward and would help develop the pupil voice."

Long Lee Primary received top marks in an Ofsted assessment carried out at the beginning of last year, receiving an overall grade of "outstanding".

Now several other schools in the Bradford district have adopted the idea of a pupil office.