The force awakens at Green Lane School, Barnard Castle

PUPILS in Barnard Castle spent three days in Jedi training to mark the launch of their new school topic.
A Star Wars theme was chosen to help inspire this term’s learning at Green Lane Primary School.
Instead of their usual timetable, children at the school received a special visit from Obi-Wan Kenobi to launch their latest theme, “May the force be with us.”
They also received special training from a Sith Master and a Jedi Master.
Headteacher Paula Ford said: “We do a whole school topic every term so we try to think of different ways of launching them. We think of different themes that are accessible for all of the pupils.
“They can take it in lots of different directions. With this one, some children are going to learn about space exploration, others are going to do some creative writing and some are going to study all about extreme weather.
“Obi-Wan Kenobi launched the topic. The whole school had to build him a new spacecraft so it was a design and technology challenge.
“They have been doing Jedi training and using the force. They have also done some keep fit work with their lightsaber training.
“It has also been good for PSHE (Physical Social and Health Education) because being a Jedi is about following the right path and doing the right things.”
All of the school’s teaching staff wore Jedi robes while the pupils trained hard to earn their gowns. The Jedi school fun was rounded off with a school assembly. This was led by Sith Master David Cooper and Jedi Master Rob Temple of Histrionics, a Cheshire-based historical entertainment company.
Ms Ford said: “The atmosphere for all three days has been buzzing. We are all on a Star Wars high.
“It has been a fantastic start to the term. If you start off in a creative way the children almost don’t know they are learning.”