PUPILS at a Bradford primary school have visited the tropics of Borneo, the Palace of Versailles and even explored the digestive system from the inside, all without leaving their classroom.

St Matthew’s CofE Primary School yesterday became the first school in Bradford to trial a revolutionary new teaching package that uses virtual reality to let them explore far flung locations.

The Google Expeditions package sees pupils wear VR goggles while their teacher uploads a series of landscapes that allow the children to look around the 360 degree environment in every direction. The teacher can them run through what they are seeing long the way.

With their imaginations then active, they are asked to write about what they saw.

Around 240 pupils in Years 3,4,5, and 6 were given the chance to see places such as the Amazon, Egypt, the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica during yesterday’s session. They were also given VR lessons on anatomy, the skeletal system and go on an ocean safari as part of the programme.

The teaching package, by Google Expeditions Pilot Program, allows classes of 30 pupils to use goggles, made up of smart phones and holders, and tablet computers in each classroom to go on up to 250 programmed tours.

Google is touring the country to demonstrate the equipment and St Matthew’s applied to be part of the tour.

MORE TOP STORIES

Acting Headteacher Kay Remmer said: “Although school trips are enjoyable, they can also be fraught with difficulties such as risk assessments and high costs. These virtual expeditions provide a superb opportunity to transport whole classes across the world to new horizons.

“The experience is so lifelike and real, it feels like you could just reach out and touch what is before your eyes. Such strong imagery will stay with the children for a long time, helping them to be creative in their writing. Immersing them so completely in an environment gives them a greater empathy and understanding.”

Teacher David Brown said: “All the kids have really enjoyed the day. Some weren’t too sure to start with, but they loved every second once they got started. Some said they didn’t want to stop writing about what they saw when the class ended.

“Their behaviour has been excellent, and it seems like it has really inspired them.”