TEACHERS at a North-East school are hoping to motivate their students by demonstrating the power of perseverance and hard work.

With their GCSE students preparing for exams, 28 staff members at Parkside Academy, in Willington, are training for a half-marathon set to take place early next year.

The goal is to show students that, just like academic challenges, personal goals can be achieved through dedication and effort.

Blake Harrison, deputy head responsible for behaviour and attitudes, said: “We ask a lot from our students during their GCSE year, expecting them to dedicate an entire year of their lives to preparation for demanding exams.

“We wanted to set a positive example by taking on a challenge outside our comfort zone, and model our school values of ‘work hard’ and ‘teamwork’. We can’t go with them, but we can show them the way.”

Members of staff who are training for the half-marathon, with Year 11 studentsMembers of staff who are training for the half-marathon, with Year 11 students (Image: Advance Learning Partnership) The team from Parkside Academy, which is part of the Advance Learning Partnership trust, has set its sights on running the Gateshead Half-Marathon in May.

“That's our ultimate goal, with a practice run in January to coincide with the mock exams. It depends on how training goes but we're quietly confident," added Blake.

"The Gateshead half-marathon is at the start of exam season, so we hope that seeing us work toward this goal will inspire our students and give them a lift at the beginning of the difficult exam period."