This year the Patterdale Challenge for secondary schools involved six teams from across the region.  Smithills, Ladybridge and Withins from Bolton as well as Southlands from Chorley, Woodhey from Ramsbottom and Balderstone from Rochdale all took part in the challenge. 

The event ran over three days - 13, 14 and 15 June – and teams needed brainpower as much as physical strength.  The varied challenges touched upon all aspects of the curriculum – from Languages to Science to Maths to Music – and took pupils out of their comfort zones.  The physical and mental challenges helped build leadership, teamwork and organisational skills.  Each team was made up of two boys and two girls from Year 10.

In a hard fought competition, the winning team was Smithills.  They will receive a PC system for their school.

The event is organised by Bolton School and it takes place in and around the grounds of our outdoor education centre, Patterdale Hall, on the shores of Lake Ullswater.  Staff from the centre run the event and the teams are also given basic training in outdoor survival.  Mr Guy Lovgreen, who organises the event, commented: "It's been another great challenge, particularly given the bad weather.  Teams have had to show grit and determination as well as guile and intellect.  We've certainly stretched pupils this year and I am sure we have developed their leadership and teamwork skills.”