YEAR six pupils at Hale School are securing their helmets and tightening their shoes as they leave the classroom and head outside to get ready for their next Bikeabilty lesson.

The course Bikeability (formally known as Cycling Proficiency) run by Surrey County Council, entails one and-a-half-hour sessions, carried out over the space of five days.

It teaches practical skills and gives participants an understanding on how to cycle on different types of roads.

The course offers three different levels, the basic level starts off with simple tasks such as how to get on and off a bike without help and how to start off, pedal and stop with control.

As students move up in the levels and the course comes to a close, cyclists should be able to pass queuing traffic, perceive and deal with hazards and react to hazardous road surfaces.

Deputy head Ann Wheeler said: “They have a great time taking part. There are a lot of levels covered during the week and at the end they get assessed, if they pass they get a certificate, if they fail they get advised on how to improve.”