TEAM GB 800 metre star Adelle Tracey thrilled pupils of St Batholomew’s Primary – her old school – when she returned to open its permanent orienteering course.

The athlete, who represented Great Britain in the 2018 European Championships in Berlin, said: “What a privilege to cut the ribbon and open St Bart’s new orienteering course.

“It was wonderful to see so many excited faces, to enjoy being active outdoors and encourage the children to explore exercise and find their passion in movement.”

The orienteering course has mapped the school site and it provides a good way for pupils to explore their own grounds with regular check points to keep them motivated, as well as teaching key life skills.

St Bart’s used its Sports Premium Funding to increase its outdoor adventurous activities by having the site mapped correctly. It was able to purchase the correct software to set up a permanent orienteering course, which means it can also develop other courses to fit the curriculum needs of the pupils.

All the staff, including teaching assistants, have had orienteering training provided by Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development.

Headteacher Charles Beckerson said: “Our reception class teacher Laura Burton went to Midhurst Rother College with Adelle and contacted her to ask if she would open our new orienteering course.

“It was a real honour for the whole school to have such a wonderful role model as Adelle Tracey come to St Bart’s. She spoke to the children so well and it was such a special day. When she came to the school, she said she had been a reception class pupil for a year before her family moved away.

“Our newly appointed lead for PE and outdoor learning, Sarah Hope-Gill, is doing an excellent job and this course is one of the things she has introduced. As well as using it for orienteering, pupils can also use it to help with maths and English classes by following clues.

“I am passionate about encouraging our children to have a broad and balanced curriculum. I also recognise how important it is in modern society with inventions like Sat Nav that children don’t lose traditional map reading skills that could help them invent the next generation of Sat Navs.

“If we don’t teach our children to map read, who will come up with the new ideas.

“It’s very important that kind of learning doesn’t get lost.

“Children are the pioneers of the future.”