PUPILS packed away their pencil cases and abandoned all aspects of indoor learning as they embarked on a sunny walk in the Witney countryside.

The classrooms of Wood Green School emptied as the whole school chose to go outside and get some fresh air as part of their new wellbeing ethos this year.

The Witney school has partnered up with Nuffield Health to learn new ways to integrate physical activity into the lives of students.

About 700 students and more than 100 staff embarked on the 11-mile trek across Cogges Hill, Witney Lake and Ducklington on Friday, July 8. Walkers were encouraged to be mindful of the landscape and wildlife.

They were sponsored by friends and family in order to raise money for key school projects, including the extension of the school gym and new equipment, improvements to IT and wifi access and development of a hard play area.

David Askew, assistant headteacher, organised the project with Nuffield Health’s Terry Austin, head of wellbeing at Wood Green, and Charlotte Corson, the school’s assigned physiologist.

Mr Askew said: "We are incredibly proud of all our students who were involved in this monumental effort.

"We now look forward to collecting all the money pledged and investing it in the school to improve the facilities for years to come."

Mr Askew said the walk was also a great opportunity for staff and pupils to connect socially, with many choosing to ditch the school uniform in favour of fancy dress.

The assistant head added: "A great day was had by all, with some excellent efforts being made on the fancy dress front."

Rob Shadbolt, headteacher at Wood Green, took up a key post at the main check point at Witney Lake, stamping each walker’s card for every lap of the route completed.

There were three options for pupils to tackle – bronze which equalled two laps, silver for three laps and gold for four laps, with most opting for gold before making their way back to the school to receive their final stamp.