The 14 frog wardens at Halifax High School are training their fellow pupils in appropriate behaviour when using the internet.

They also work on a rota system to monitor discussion forums and e-mails on the school's virtual learning site.

The Year 8 and 10 students wear frog badges so they can be easily identified around the building, although all online interactions are anonymous.

The name of the wardens comes from the business that provides the learning platform for the school, FrogTrade Ltd, based at Dean Clough, Halifax.

Rachel Jones, head of teaching and learning, said: "It has been massively successful since we launched it in September, with 700 pupils and staff logging on.

"With the emphasis on e-safety we decided to develop student leadership by having the role of the frog wardens.

"Students monitor e-mail use themselves and monitor the discussion boards and ensure everybody feels safe and comfortable, and that everyone is following the code of conduct."

The wardens trained all pupils how to be safe online and the standards of behaviour expected through special assemblies.

Anyone who misbehaves is sent a warning e-mail.

Misdemeanours range from not using standard English to swearing, being offensive and sending anonymous e-mails.

Pupil Nosheen Ramzan, 14, said: "The assemblies were very successful and we had a good response."

The virtual learning site is used within the curriculum and also for pastoral care.

Pupils can use the system to report bullying and access peer mentors, to complete homework and for revision.

They can log on from home as well as from school.

Julia Pollard, virtual learning environment developer, said: "The wardens are the voice of the school and they tell us what pupils have liked and what they want to see more of."

Some of the wardens will attend a national conference in London in June to talk about their work on the scheme.