Ray Mears-style skills learnt by pupils on bushcraft weekend

Trekking through the Thicket, tracking animals and creating shelters were just some of the activities children from Claires Court Juniors enjoyed as part of a Bushcraft weekend.

Girls and boys spent two days in the outdoors learning Ray Mears-style skills like building a campfire and cooking their own meals, with the plan being that in between they would sleep in tents overnight on Friday.

But the cold weather put paid to that and so they slept inside the school building at Maidenhead Thicket instead.

Leanne Barlow, headteacher of Claires Court Junior Girls, said: "Despite the cold the children had a fabulous time. Opportunities to learn skills outside of the normal curriculum are crucial to developing life skills. 

"This weekend allowed them to take safe risks, collaborate and learn new skills in an environment which is different and exciting. Although, the highlight of the weekend appears to have been the sleepover in the school."