A DAY of outdoor activity for a school saw pupils and teachers bridge-building in more ways than one.

The whole of Year 7 at Debden Park High School, in Willingale Road, Loughton, were invited by staff at Middlesex University to spend a day with them at the Lambourne End Centre, Lambourne End.

Physical activities included using steel ropes to cross a lake and wall-climbing while there were also problem-solving and team building tasks.

Debden Park is a partnership school of north London-based Middlesex University and the activity day enabled student teachers the chance to organise tasks with their full-time teaching colleagues.

Middlesex University's PGCE program leader Lorna Eales said: “It was a brilliant day. The student teachers ran all the events and the school teachers came up to help.

“The students got points for every event and the winning teams got certificates and medals.

“The day was there to support, enhance and raise achievement and attendance. It gives potentially disruptive children the chance to experience success.”

Funding for the day came to the university from a grant by the Government's Training Development Agency while transport was provided by the Essex Local Education Authority.