YEAR Four pupils have received a more detailed look at their future schools courtesy of orienteering festivals.

St Osmund’s Middle School and Dorchester Middle School each hosted a festival of their own with students from Damers, Prince of Wales, Cerne Abbas, Winterbourne Valley, Manor Park, St Mary’s Catholic and St Mary’s, Charminster all taking part.

The festivals, run by DMS school sports co-ordinator Demelza Roberts, involved two different courses with the aim of encouraging pupils to explore the school grounds.

Pupils had a chance to utilise the professional maps that schools now use, as well as the proper orienteering equipment.

Roberts said: “The Year Four pupils were not only able to make the most of the glorious weather, the fresh air and to vastly improve their orienteering skills on a new site, they were also able to explore a new school.

“And this exploration in itself is a huge benefit to many who are preparing to join either DMS or St Osmund’s in September.

“It gave these small groups of children a chance to have a good look around in an informal setting and see what a wonderful, friendly school they will be joining.”

Assisting with the festivals were some of the Year Eight sports leaders from the respective middle schools.

Roberts added: “These students were outstanding in their dealings with the Year Four visitors. They proved to be excellent role models as well as friendly faces in a new school.

“Many of the Year Four pupils expressed their excitement about joining their middle school in September.”