Hillside students are sure to look back on their final few days at the school with fond memories, after enjoying an exciting programme of leisure and career-related activities.

More than 350 pupils have been involved in activities including trips to EuroDisney and the home of Manchester United, as well as work-based workshops.

The five-day Introduction to the World of Work, for pupils in years nine, ten and 12, began on Thursday last week, and ran alongside a schedule of recreational events.

Employees from different businesses and areas of work, such as hairdressing and the army, travelled to the Hillside Avenue school to give pupils a taste of different careers.

Deputy headteacher Dr Jenny Francis said: 'The work activities provided a real insight into the kind of careers the pupils might want to go into and what offers they might get.'

No lessons were held after the start of the programme, which was co-ordinated by the head of year ten, Sandra Woodland, and involved every member of staff.

Organisations involved included Nat West, One2One, First Rung, The Mead, Adecco, Costco, JTL Electrics, Worknet and Jigsaw Nursery.

The army put some pupils through their paces by asking them to make a bridge to cross the sports hall, while others took part in a mask drama workshop run by the Trestle Theatre Group.

The end-of-year leisure activities provided by the school, as well as the trips, included bowling, visiting the cinema, snooker, horse-riding, ice-skating and fishing.

Dr Francis said: 'The idea behind the five days was to help the students to get to know each other and to work successfully together as a group.'