Intrepid Stonar teams compete in Ten Tors Challenge

Twelve pupils represented Stonar at the 61st Ten Tors Challenge at the end of April.

The two teams of six pupils (from Years 9, 10, 11, and Sixth Form) joined thousands of others from schools across the country, all taking part in the annual challenge, which requires them to navigate routes of either 35, 45 or 55 miles across Dartmoor.

Pupils have to be selected for the challenge, which is run by the British Armed Forces, and sees those taking part learn about navigation, nutrition, equipment management and camp craft, as well as completing four training weekends, ahead of the event itself. 

Th teams set off at 7.00am on the morning of Saturday 29 April, carrying everything they needed to complete their route and to camp overnight, with the aim of finishing before 5.00pm on Sunday.

Charlotte Bennett, Head of Sixth Form at Stonar School, said: "After months of training, it was an incredibly proud moment to watch our 35-mile and 45-mile teams set off on the Ten Tors Challenge, alongside 400 other teams of six. Completely self-sufficient, they carried their expedition rucksacks filled with tents, sleepings bags, stoves, spare clothes and food across the pre-set course. 

"They did incredibly well, tackling various obstacles along the way including river crossings, deep bogs and thick fog. The 35s arrived back at 2.30pm on Sunday afternoon, while the 45s unfortunately fell just short of finishing, due to a navigational error causing them to miss the cut-off time. 

"Congratulations to both teams for this herculean effort. We are hugely proud of every pupil who took part." 

Stonar offers its pupils the chance to take part in a range of adventure training activities, as part of its wide co-curricular offering. For more information, click here.