THEY’RE only 10 years old but they’re already learning how to be model citizens.

Dozens of Year 6 pupils were commended in a special ceremony for their work on a newly designed citizenships course.

The youngsters from Beechwood Junior School received certificates and praise from the Mayor of Southampton, councillor Les Harris, while Southampton District Chief Inspector, Beth Pirie, thanked the kids for taking part.

Designed by Junior Neighbourhood Wardens co-ordinator Ian Mitchell, the children learnt about crime and how to prevent it, became ‘dementia friends’ of the elderly and how to look after their environment.

They even created media campaigns to get their message across with radio adverts and theatre soundscapes.

Cllr Warwick Payne, cabinet member for housing and adult care, said: “The Year 6 students at Beechwood Junior School have learned so much about the importance of their role in our community thanks to this amazing citizenship course.

“Ian Mitchell and the Junior Neighbourhood Wardens and Year 6 Leader Emma Thorne deserve special recognition for their hard work in realising this course for them, but we could not have done any of it without community partners like Hampshire Police, the Mayflower Theatre, UNITY-FM and The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.”