WELLBEING was top of the curriculum at one County Durham school on Wednesday as a retired Commonwealth Judo gold medallist dropped in.

Louise Renicks, who won a gold medal at the 2014 Games in Rio, put students at Parkside Academy, in Willington, through their paces with a fitness session.

Year 10 students also got the chance to hear about her experiences in the sport and her struggle with injuries as she joined the school's first Wellbeing week.

Wellbeing coordinator and head of Year 10, Chris Goldsmith, said the pupils really enjoyed the session which raised awareness of mental health.

And the 650 pupils also raised £1,500 with their sponsored fitness session.

The money was split between the charities Sport for Champions and Young Minds.

Mr Goldsmith said it was the first time the school had held a Wellbeing week but is now looking to roll it out to all years as an annual event following the success of the first one.

"It was a fantastic event and helped pupils reflect and reduce the stigma around mental health," he said.