SCHOOLCHILDREN have made an art out of their first taste of secondary school with a drawing project on maggots, maps and mini-beasts.

More than 190 primary pupils spent three days at Northallerton School and Sixth Form College to experience "big school" before starting their secondary education in September.

Year 6 children from feeder primary schools took part in a project to create a portfolio of work around the theme "fantastic creatures and where to find them".

The school's Key Stage 3 curriculum lead Anna Cox said: “Spending time in a new school environment really helps Year 6 pupils grow in confidence, get to know their peers and put to rest many anxieties about moving to ‘big school’ in the new term."

New principal Chris Drew, who is also set to start his first official day at the school in September, said: “This is a great start from the year 6 pupils in what I hope will be an extremely positive time at Northallerton School and Sixth Form College.”