Derwent Hill brings activities to the playground

Tutors from Derwent Hill, Sunderland City Council's outdoor education centre, are working with the city's schools remotely during the pandemic.

The team are visiting year five and six pupils who would ordinarily be going to Derwent Hill for a residential visit but have had their trips cancelled due to Covid-19.

Instead they are taking part in activities around team building, problem solving and communication in their own schools to help them re-engage with their classmates now that they have returned to school.

Bubbles from each class will be taking part in these on-site activity days until the May half term.

Matthew Ellis, Derwent Hill's Centre Director, said: "At Derwent Hill we are looking forward to welcoming Sunderland Schools back to the centre for high quality outdoor education residentials. However, in the meantime our tutors are working with youngsters at their schools and providing some really fun activities to make sure that the children don't have to miss out altogether.

"Our focus is on supporting children with their return to school and the activities we are delivering are designed to help youngsters re-engage with each other, solving problems collaboratively and working in teams. Our tutors are incorporating some mindfulness and wellbeing exercises and most of all ensuring the pupils have fun!"

Councillor Louise Farthing, Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Learning and Skills, said: "While things have been very different over the last year, I am delighted to see that children are still able to access the excellent learning and personal development activities that are usually available at Derwent Hill.

"I know many children were very excited to be back in school and reunited with their friends and teachers. I hope these activity days are helping to make the return to the classroom even more enjoyable as the pupils develop some valuable skills and enjoy being back together."

Pictures show children from Broadway Junior School taking part in one of the remote activity days.