With only twenty-four days to go until their ski trip to Austria, students have been hitting the dry ski slope in Sunderland in preparation.

With only twenty-seven days to go until their ski trip to Austria, students from years 9, 10 and 11 have been hitting the dry ski slope in Sunderland at the Silksworth Sports Complex in preparation for their visit to the real slopes.

Students who have skied before blew off the cobwebs with some very speedy descents down the main slope, showing all the beginners what they have to look forward to, whilst the novices started off more gently but made swift progress.

Some students had arrived as complete beginners but after only four hours of lessons and some spectacular falls, the skiers were showing off impressive snowploughs and turns.

The snowboarders have also mastered some tricky moves including the 'heel and toe edge' and the 'falling leaf'.

All the Macmillan staff accompanying the students were very impressed with their determination and effort. Comments from the Silksworth staff have also been very positive and the students were a credit to the Academy.