A BEAR Grylls Survival Academy team put the girls at Haslemere’s St Ives School through their paces in a ‘Forest Fury’ day, last week.

The survival tasks included tucking into mealworms and crickets.

St Ives’ students are fortunate to have eight acres of wooded grounds for outdoor learning. Nature studies have been part of the curriculum since the 1930s and a ‘forest school’ was launched there in 2011.

The team from the academy’s Witley branch, included instructors Scott Heffield and James Latham, both of whom work closely with Bear Grylls and starred on ITV’s Bear Grylls Survival School.

Students from year seven upwards were introduced to new and exciting challenges and the whole school was given the chance to put some of their new-found skills to the test in a final inter-house challenge to see which house could make the most waterproof shelter using only natural materials.

Academy communications manager Kirsten Lovemore said: “It was the first time the BGSA had worked with a school, and the event was an enormous success.

“Never before have the girls been put through their paces like they were last Wednesday, when a team of ex-marines from the Bear Grylls Survival Academy challenged them to complete a number of daring trials.

“The adventure started with commando-style training on the school field.

“This was swiftly followed by a run down into the forest where the girls were instructed to slather mud all over their faces to keep the bugs at bay.

“Shock and disgust were soon replaced by squeals of delight as dozens of muddy girls prepared for their survival challenges.

“Tasks included commando crawls on ropes between trees, making fires, building shelters and stalking each other through the undergrowth.

“Perhaps most memorable of all was snack time, when the usual fruit and breadsticks were replaced with live mealworms and crickets, and the girls showed nerves – and stomachs – of steel as they delightedly tucked in.”

Year one teacher Rachel Pyle said: “Our Forest Fury day came about as a way of celebrating the wonderful outdoor space we have here at St Ives. The BGSA seemed the perfect partner in this outdoor day.

“The school has always had a strong connection with the outdoors. Currently, children from nursery to year three spend an afternoon each week in the school’s forest throughout the year, taking part in a range of cross-curricular activities, and forest school lessons are met with resounding cheers of glee.

“The benefits are numerous, from the physical and health benefits of being in the fresh air and taking part in physical activity, to the mental, emotional and social benefits of working together, having fun and learning outside the classroom.

We have seen many girls thrive and their self-confidence soar through Forest School sessions.

“The girls had an incredible day, meeting every challenge with enthusiasm and a smile on their faces and showing that girls really can do anything – which is what St Ives strongly believes.

“The BGSA team were knowledgeable, friendly, encouraging and gave the whole day a tremendous sense of fun – even eating live meal worms.”