Year 5 pupils from Moorfield School put their map-reading and decision-making skills to the test on Ilkley Moor, securing second place in the inaugural Race to White Wells orienteering challenge.

The event brought together 86 Year 5 pupils from four local primary schools: Moorfield School, Bradford Grammar Junior School (Clock House), The Froebelian School and Burley Oaks Primary School.

Navigating the lower slopes of Ilkley Moor between Darwin Gardens and White Wells, teams set off in small groups on a 30-minute ‘score’ orienteering challenge. Rather than following a fixed route, pupils were tasked with choosing which checkpoints to visit and in what order to maximize their total points.

Starting at Darwin Gardens, groups worked against the clock to reach as many controls as possible before punching the finish at White Wells. Checkpoints were worth 10 points each, with a special stream control worth 20 points, while a 10-point penalty was deducted for every minute over the 30-minute time limit.

Moorfield Team B — made up of Poppy, Maya, Mailys and Eloise — earned a second-place finish overall. First place was claimed by Burley Oaks Team 8 (Joshua, Charlie and Bobby), who successfully visited all 17 checkpoints within the time limit, while Burley Oaks Team 2 took third place.

The event was organised by Bradford Grammar School (BGS) Geography teacher and orienteering coach David Alcock, with support from BGS Admissions and Outreach Officer Sarah Lockett and local orienteering club Airienteers. Course supervision was provided by teachers, BGS Year 13 orienteers Joseph, Will and Fred, and Airienteers members Tony Thornley and Lindsey King.

Mr Alcock said: “The pupils were buzzing, and the groups found themselves having to rapidly learn how to navigate around the dense path network on the lower slopes of the moor. It was a mini-adventure.”

Following the challenge, pupils returned to Darwin Gardens for refreshments and the prizegiving ceremony.

Jessica Crossley, Head of Moorfield School, said: “It was lovely to see the children out on the moor, enjoying the challenge and making the most of being outdoors. The event was a wonderful opportunity to meet pupils from other schools and share the experience. We would be delighted to see more schools get involved in future events like this.”