A DAY at Huntingdon racecourse has been described as the best school trip ever by children and teachers at Peckover Primary School, Wisbech. The day was organised as part of the education initiative of the British Horseracing Education and Standards Tru

A DAY at Huntingdon racecourse has been described as "the best school trip ever" by children and teachers at Peckover Primary School, Wisbech.

The day was organised as part of the education initiative of the British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust (BHEST) and is designed to bring mathematics to life.

Pupils at the school travelled to the racecourse last week and were treated to an array of exciting and informative educational activities based on the National Curriculum.

The Racecourse Education Days scheme was developed in 2000 to open horseracing to a new, young audience and demonstrate the importance of maths in the sport.

Carrie Norman, from Peckover Primary, said: "It was a fantastic day and the children found it thrilling and exciting.

"We were given access to the weighing room, jockeys' room, parade ring and also had the opportunity to see the horses being prepared.

"The children were involved in a number of tasks behind the scenes before we settled down to watch the races."

Ollie McPhail, UK National Hunt jockey, and Louisa Sabin, BHEST's regional education officer, outlined how maths matters to jockeys, with various activities in the weighing room, around the parade ring, and on the course itself.

Completing tasks in their workbooks, the children covered issues such as weights, distances and the handicapping system.

Huntingdon's managing director Amy Starkey said: "Racing truly is a sport for all ages and it's great for children to come along and experience the sights and sounds of a race day.

"We would be keen to offer any schools in the area the chance to come and use our wide range of resources and look forward to seeing these local children back at the course with their parents."

The children were accompanied by teachers and the chairman of governors, who all agreed that the trip was a resounding success.

Carrie Norman said: "It was the best school trip ever and the children loved it.