The half-term holiday provided the ideal opportunity for avid mountain bikers from Woodham Academy to venture further afield and seek new challenges. Mountain Biking is the newest addition to Woodham’s Sports Academy provision and students regularly hone their skills at Hamsterley Forest on a Friday evening after school. Led by deputy headteacher and MIAS instructor Danny Morgans, a day trip to Whinlatter Forest in the Lake District would provide a different challenge and a new environment for the students to enjoy. Following a two hour drive, students were straight onto the 5 mile red Altura trail from which stunning views of Keswick, Derwent Water and surrounding fells could be enjoyed. Exhilarating descents would soon follow as the trail wound its way through the forest back to the car park. Such holiday visits have been made possible as a result of funding from Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership for a trailer to transport 14 bikes – it’s certainly getting some miles in! Such holiday trips reinforce Woodham’s commitment to provide extensive opportunities for students beyond the formal curriculum where they can overcome different challenges and develop personal attributes that it’s not possible to do in the classroom.
