FORTY six pupils and ten members of staff from Teddington School sacrificed their Sunday roasts recently to undertake a seven-mile hike at Box Hill in Surrey as part of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.

The hike was arranged for small teams, each led by a member of staff, to navigate a specially tailored route. Each team had a different starting time and had to complete quizzes at various checkpoints around the course.

Ryan Gibson, who organised the event, said: "The pupils who were involved coped tremendously well, not only with their map reading skills, but also in completing the course in a gale!"

Mr Gibson, a PE teacher at the school, has set up the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme this year for over 50 pupils in year ten.

The majority of pupils are working towards their bronze award and some are working towards their silver.

They all attend weekly meetings at school, as well as complete their own three individual targets (a physical activity, a specific skill and a service in the community) over a three or six month period.

There is an expedition that will take place in June.

The award scheme is proving very popular amongst the pupils and after the success of the hike on Sunday will no doubt remain a popular extra-curricular activity at the school.