STUDENTS and staff in Portland have been raising money for Help for Heroes with a special Wren House week.

The Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy are raising money for charities while celebrating each of the school houses with dedicated house weeks, beginning with the Wren House Week.

Head of Wren House at IPACA, Angus Dawson said: “Wren House Week 2014 has been a brilliant success, showing that students of all ages can come together to learn, have fun and raise money for charity.”

Of the many highlights during the week some standout moments include the visits by Army Cadets and their climbing tower and animals from Fancy’s Farm at all the campuses.

Mr Dawson said: “There were some top quality contributions by members of the Wren staff team, who baked cakes for sale, rustled up fantastic raffle prizes and hosted themed lunchtime quiz game shows in the library throughout the week.”

In addition to the range of activities in school, more than 60 Wren students of all ages were given the sole use of all the facilities at Sharky’s in Weymouth as part of the week-long celebration.

Pupils came together as one big Wren family, with older students keeping an eye on the younger ones when they were playing on the slides, but then teaming up together to do activities like the laser quest or driving Scalextric cars. Academy director of digital learning and innovation Gary Spracklen said: “Opportunities like Wren week serve to showcase the unique value of an all-through academy.

“It’s been wonderful to see children and young people from three years old to 19 years old participate in a range of activities to support Wren House’s chosen charity, Help for Heroes.

“We are very grateful to everyone who has got involved and we look forward to the Penn, Anning and Coode house weeks.”