Adventurous students sailed, tunnelled and leapt their way through challenges on a residential Outward Bound expedition.

 

More than 130 youngsters from Bede Academy in Blyth got the chance to spend two nights on the shores of Ullswater in the Lake District with three days of exciting activities.

 

The challenges began with an optional dip in the lake and, for some, the chance to camp out by the water.

 

Instructors from Outward Bound and teachers from Bede then supervised the students as they tried a treetop trapeze, crawled through tunnels, jumped gorges and sailed and canoed on the lake.

 

Isla Jones, 12, said: "It's been absolutely brilliant, loads of fun. I've learned about myself and about being part of a team and listening to other people."

 

Emma Campbell, 12, added: "We had to make our own tents for camping, which was really good. I liked rowing across the lake best."

 

Oliver Baron, 11, said: "I think Bede is a really good school for organising this trip for us. I learned how to paddle a canoe, which was brilliant."

 

Offering the residential was one of the promises made by staff prior to Bede's opening last year.

 

Head of Geography Tom Whitworth said: "One of our aims at Bede is to build character and the opportunities this week have helped many students to realise they are capable of things they did not even know themselves."

 

Mr Whitworth added: "Most students were trying the activities for the first time and they really threw themselves into them.

 

"From Year 7 to Year 9, they conducted themselves very well and received many compliments for their behaviour and enthusiasm."