Eleven-year-olds in Wensleydale were left looking forward to joining their new school this autumn after an action-packed fortnight during the summer holiday.

Wensleydale School ran its first Fast Forward Summer School from August 13 to 24. The school helped year six children to brush up their literacy and numeracy before their move to secondary school.

Fast Forward was a work-hard, play-hard scheme. Literacy and numeracy were presented in a fun way with plenty of games, sport and drama, and each pupil had a target to reach by the end of the fortnight.

Several visitors to the school added to the excitement.

TV personality Richard Whiteley came to play Countdown and answer questions about his life in television. He chatted to the youngsters over tea and cake and signed autographs.

The pupils learned about journalism when a reporter from The Northern Echo talked to them about his life and work.

There were also two full days of drama, organised by Nobby Dimon, director of Richmond's North Country Theatre Company.

He took the youngsters on a journey into space where they were asked to organise a new society for themselves, and the children took on different roles as they struggled to escape the Earth virus.

Puppet making was also a big hit and each puppet had its own, unique character. There were pop stars, witches and aliens.

They teamed up with their owners to perform a show on the final day for parents.

At the end of the fortnight, the pupils were rewarded with prizes. Some received special awards for hard work and helpfulness and there were silly prizes too.

The summer school provided pupils with an excellent opportunity to meet other children from all the primary schools in the area and to get to know the school and staff better.

Staff are hopeful that the new year seven has settled into school well and feel more confident in their studies because of their summer school experience.

Well done Wensleydale School, Fast Forward was a great success