Climbing kids hit new heights this weekend at the launch of an out of school activity club.

The Shine project, which kicked off at Rutlish school in Merton Park on Saturday, will make learning seriously fun for 60 of the borough’s disadvantaged young people.

The programme will run for 30 Saturdays a year and feature trips and days out as well as drama, sport, music, art and computing sessions.

Children from Benedict, Bond, Cranmer, Singlegate, Rutlish and Ricards Lodge schools are taking part in the scheme.

Organisers the Shine trust run schemes for disadvantaged young people in London and Manchester. Project manager Katy Hamlin said: “Shine is all about creating opportunities for brighter futures by giving young people access to quality activities on a Saturday.

“The learning environment is more relaxed and informal than school and the focus is really on ensuring the students have lots of fun, whilst experiencing new things which will improve their skills and learner confidence.”