PUPILS at a school near Tenbury Wells are taking to their new after-school activity like ducks to water.

Abberley Hall School in Great Witley is one of only a few preparatory schools in the country offering scuba diving lessons. They now form part of the school's evening programme which includes over 35 sports, clubs, hobbies and pastimes, ranging from abseiling to calligraphy.

Boarders and day pupils at the school can take advantage of the scuba diving training, with ten children now working towards their Open Water PADI Scuba Diving Certificate throughout this academic year.

James Abbott, one of Abberley’s design and technology teachers, who oversees the activity, explained “Scuba diving is proving popular with the children. It is a demanding discipline and requires a certain sense of adventure but our pupils are always up for a challenge.

“This term they are covering theory and pool work in the school's 25-metre indoor swimming pool and next term they will undertake four open water dives in Midlands quarries to complete the qualification.

“When they have successfully passed the course they will be able to dive anywhere in the world without an instructor and many of them are looking forward to diving with their parents on holiday.”

Mr Abbott runs the course with an outside examiner from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, working with pupils on a two-to-one ratio.