By Community Correspondent Chris Lynch Across Minefields and Mountains – a Day in the Army On Monday 13th July, as part of Wallington County Grammar School's vibrant outreach programme, 120 Year 9 pupils participated in an Army Experience Day, a Personal Development Course group that travels all over London working with schools and colleges and people from the age of 14 to 44 – the final age for army application.

Working in groups, pupils followed command tasks to ensure everyone participated actively and together they reached solutions for a number of problems. By simple teamwork and communication, the pupils (in groups of 15) were able to tackle the great tasks presented by Talisman, Human Bridge, Tyres, Indian Rope Trick and Electric Fence.

Throughout the day, the army officers instilled a sense of purpose within the children’s activities, shaping the groups to finding solutions and encouraging them. Phrases such as ‘get out of the minefield’ and ‘I can hear the Russians starting their tanks’ sparked explorative creativity and evoked the students to understand how to use their skills in real situations, while constantly encouraging, engaging and enjoying their break from normal lessons to spend a day as an army soldier.

“It’s really good to work with the others,” a pupil said. “We’re finding ways to solve things and really challenging our strengths.” In a very hands-on, very successful and very real way, the pupils were able to press themselves on an emotional, mental, spiritual and intellectual level – encountering problems and overcoming them and all the while creating a solid team ethic wherein everyone felt an assured sense of belonging.

At the end of each 30-minute activity, students were encouraged to reflect upon their successes and identify what skills they had utilised – ranging from effective participation to team working to problem solving. This not only establishes a sense of achievement and pure pride in the students’ efforts; but it also supports the school’s ethos and provides a fantastic outlet for creativity, team building and social skills.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for groups to work together to solve a problem. People who maybe would not necessarily work together have the opportunity to do so.” The Director of Science discussed the massive span of opportunities offered by the Army Experience Day. “Many of the students are surprising themselves by their abilities and resourcefulness.”

This was definitely an excellent and incredibly valuable experience for everyone, with all students actively embracing the tasks they faced ahead of them. Along the way they discovered and learned great new personal and social skills – whilst constantly enjoying life as an army soldier. A thoroughly enjoyable day – if not ridiculously tiring and exhausting - was had by all; and it was certainly a rewarding experience to act as a combatant rather than spend the day in maths!