THE GREAT Outdoors beckoned for two groups of students from Parkside School in Cullingworth

Year seven students spent a day day at the Blackhills Scout camp, in nearby Wilsden, as Storm Diana threatened.

Trainee teachers from Leeds Beckett University had spent a week planning a programme of activities for the 20 youngsters.

Trip leader Jenni Bailey said: “Some students were excited, some were really nervous, and no one knew quite what to expect.

“The Parkside students learned how to work in teams and even the shyest of students were getting involved by the end of the day.

“Leeds Beckett students got experience in working with real live children and tried out their lesson plans on them. Feedback was positive and there were smiles all round.

“Some groups had a theme, “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here” for example, complete with Australian hats but luckily no horrible things to eat!

“Under the watchful eye of their group leaders, Parkside students lit open fires, toasted marshmallows, made hot chocolate, took part in orienteering, and clambered through obstacle courses.

“They also made dens waterproof enough to eat their lunches in, climbed trees, covered themselves in mud and generally had a great day.”

Other Parkside students had a spell at an adventure centre at Buckden to help build on classroom work for maths and English exams.

Activities in the Yorkshire Dales aimed to give them the confidence to attempt questions in their public exams that they might otherwise leave unanswered.

Maths teacher Dave Russell said: “Each student was exposed to mathematical problems and the techniques used to solve them, in additional to frequent repetitive knowledge questions which further aided their understanding and problem-solving abilities.”

As part of the English programme, there was revision of literature, and strategies to revise content.

Students were also asked to solve problems collaboratively and individually, complete independent work, and offer their personal reflections.

They highlighted areas of weakness to focus on in the run-up to mock exams and next summer’s real exams.