Summer holidays are usually for sleeping, seeing friends and not thinking about the classroom.

But a group of new secondary school students ignored this idea and went back to school early for a week to learn and interact with Norfolk's past, present, and future.

About 36 students, aged 10 and 11, took part in the event to help with their transition from primary school to their chosen high school, Sewell Park College, the former Blyth-Jex School, with the aim of making new friends and exploring a new range of learning styles.

The new students were kept busy taking part in activities including acting, painting and even treasure digging. The group also visited the Sainsbury Centre and Norwich Castle.

Dan Guiney, a teacher involved in the project, said: 'The highlight for me was our last day when students showed their parents and guardians the fabulous work they'd produced and when they all received their certificates, prizes and applause.'

Teacher Matt Price, 27, who help set up the summer school, said: 'There were lots of great Norman clothes to dress up in, pots and artefacts to handle and we even wrote own Norman graffiti on a wall – with permission, of course.'

On the final day students consolidated everything they had learnt by making videos, clay models, and photo murals about Norfolk across time before presenting their findings to parents. Mr Guiney added: 'It was a really good example of community cohesion.'

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