MAKING cakes, totting up bills and doing the dishes – schoolchildren demonstrated skills that belied their years during a special cafe week.

Year Four pupils at Manor Park School in Dorchester welcomed parents, grandparents and children from other schools.

They designed placemats with reading activities that guests could complete while waiting for their orders at the Maths Cafe.

And all the coins collected from cake and coffee sales will go to a charity that helps other children read.

Year Four teacher Esther Derrien said: “It was a real-life opportunity for the children to use and apply their maths skills. The children waited on tables, made up bills, washed up and made and served cakes.

“We welcomed lots of visitors from both other schools and the local community.

“The children designed the placemats with reading activities, such as a word search and spot-the-difference on them. The Year Four children were fantastic.

“We were very proud of them during the cafe week.”

The school decided to support the Room to Read charity, which works with governments across Asia and Africa to develop literacy skills among young children.