MORE than 600 pupils from the Five Acres High School took part in the school’s annual sponsored walk.

The school re-opened last month as Five Acres High under new leadership and there was also a change to the walk with pupils walking 20km – 13 miles – along a new route.

The money raised will be shared between Leanne’s Gift, a Forest charity that helps families who lose a child in a road accident and also campaigns on road safety, Coleford-based Great Oaks Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support.

As is traditional, the 120 Year 11 students completed the walk in fancy dress with a wide range of costumes from Alice in Wonderland characters to a set of crayons.

The walk was a circular route from the school at Berry Hill and through the Sculpture Trail to Beechenhurst Lodge.

Headteacher Ben Parnell, who joined students on the walk, said: “The pupils have been fantastic and Year 11 have made great efforts with their fancy dress.”

Mark John, who helped organise the event, said: “The feedback from students was that they loved the walk this year, even though it was much longer than usual.

“I believe this is mainly down to the fact that the Symonds Yat steps were not included!”