Our "Building Empires' Summer School was attended by over 50 of our new students, supported by a team of staff, and students from our Sixth Form and Year 8. The programme included a full week of fun, creative arts and sporting activities in school, which were all themed around Roman history, followed by a free three-day trip.

Our programme is designed to help our new students make friends, gain confidence and independence, develop social skills and challenge themselves in new ways, as well as providing an opportunity to meet staff and current students and get used to our site and buildings. This makes their transition from primary to secondary school much easier.

Students spent the first week at King James learning new skills, sharing ideas and competing in challenges which tested their team working and creativity.

They designed and built a Roman amphitheatre, took part in a "Murder Mystery' challenge, used robotic arms to excavate Roman artifacts, explored our school site through an orienteering challenge, built miniature Roman catapults, visited Binchester Roman Fort, learned to speak Spanish and discovered creative talents in Art and Drama, as well as taking part in a number of sporting challenges on our 3G pitch.

Each year at King James we offer a free fun-packed Summer School for all our new Year 7 pupils who will be joining us in September, culminating in a confidence-building residential visit. This year, we improved our programme even further to offer two exciting destinations - Peak Venture in South Yorkshire and Cartagena in Spain! Team building is an important part of our Summer School as it helps to forge friendships and shows what can be achieved by working together. This aspect is further encouraged through our residential visits, the second part of "Building Empires' programme.

The UK residential to Peak Venture in South Yorkshire, saw a group of 23 students, accompanied by six members of our staff, take on a number of team challenges such as canoeing, raft building, the giant swing and the zip wire. The trip offered a perfect blend of excitement, adventure and creative learning, and students were praised for their positive approach and team spirit by Peak Venture staff.

At the same time, we embarked on our first international visit with eight of our new Year 7 students, supported by four of our Year 8's and members of staff. These students, who had won their places through a Roman-themed competition, travelled to Cartagena in Spain for three days of fun team challenges. Once again the enthusiasm of the students shone through, with the four staff-led teams competing for points in a variety of activities such as the "Selfie Challenge' to seek out the most historical tourist attractions in one hour, and a competition on the beach to build a Roman Fort.

There was much fun and laughter throughout all of our Summer School activities, and all involved ended their "Building Empires' experience having learned that with a positive attitude and a little courage, you can achieve anything. We hope our new Year 7's are encouraged to embrace every forthcoming opportunity as they continue their journey at King James.