A FREE school has undertaken its first residential study trip.

Pupils from Durham Free School spent three days in North Yorkshire, staying at a youth hostel in Swaledale.

They practised map reading, walked around Reeth and visited an old lead mine and Richmond Castle.

Pupil Alana Marshall, 11, of Spennymoor, said: “It’s been awesome. I wish we could have stayed longer.”

Teacher Julie Normanton said: “Although some of our students had been to North Yorkshire before, for many it was their first time and for some it was their first time away from home.

“They really enjoyed the experience and have got a great deal out of being able to use some of the skills they’ve learned in the classroom in a real setting.”