A TEAM of skilled map readers and hikers were surprised to find themselves on the podium at a recent national orienteering championship.

The Year 8 boys from Bury C of E High School, Kieron Davies, Mason Durham and Adam Thetford, finished third in the British Schools Orienteering Championship, held last month at Witton Country Park in Blackburn.

Relative new comers to the activity, the boys had only joined the school’s orienteering club in October last year.

They took part in just two training events before their debut at the national championships.

The boys then completed the 3km championship course individually, with their combined times securing them a bronze medal each.

A team of Year 7 girls was also entered by the school and secured fourth place in their event.

Tom Gray, orienteering coach and teacher at Bury C of E High School, said: “I am so pleased the boys were able to medal at this event after all the effort they have put in to learn the basic map reading skills for orienteering.

“We are in a good position now to develop the teams and look forward to more successes in next year’s season of events.”

The British Schools Orienteering Championship is one of two annual competitive events run by the British Schools Orienteering Association.

The sport is similar to a cross-country race, seeing competitors navigate the route using a map instead of traversing a set course.

Organisers say the sport is a great way for pupils to enjoy exercise in the countryside with challenge and adventure, as well as encouraging compass, maths and decision making skills, and supporting the national curriculum for PE, geography and maths.