School embarks on first residential study trip

STUDENTS combined history and geography lessons with a social experience when a whole school embarked on its first residential study trip.

All students and staff from The Durham Free School spent three days in North Yorkshire, staying in a youth hostel in Swaledale.

They practised map-reading, distance and direction skills on walks around Reeth and visited an old lead mine and Richmond Castle.

Student Alana Marshall, 11, of Spennymoor, said: "It's been awesome. I wish we could have stayed longer."

Jordana Parker, 13, of Bishop Auckland, added: "We've been out on long walks and learned lots of things. It's been really good."

Teacher Julie Normanton said: "Although some of our students had been to North Yorkshire before, for many it was their first time and for some it was their first time way from home.

"They really enjoyed the experience and have got a great deal out of being able to use some of the skills they've learned in the classroom in a real setting."