Pupils at a South Tyneside school on crest of a wave

Around 30 students from South Shields School have shown an interest after cash was secured to develop a Combined Cadet Force at the school.

The school has opted to form a Royal Navy Cadet Force and four students have been selected to lead the unit - Tyler Wallace, 15, Ellie Crompton, 14, Nuria Pilatos, 15, and Rhya Watkinson, 15.

Cadets will get the chance to develop a range of skills - from watercrafts, including powerboats, kayaking, scuba-diving and life-guarding - to teambuilding, leadership and mentoring.

#All are aimed at boosting their learning abilities and self-confidence.

PE teachers Ian Middleton and Martyn Brown have been given the task of organising the force - which meets at school for two hours every Wednesday night - and have undergone training giving them the honorary rank of sub lieutenant.

Mr Middleton, said: “We are delighted with the level of interest shown already in the cadet force. Students will be able to develop a host of practical and emotional skills which can’t fail to impress when they move on to further and higher education and employment.”

Ellie, whose granddad was an oil tanker captain, said: “I would love to experience something of what he did in his career.”

Nuria added: “This is something very exciting and new to do after school and it is great to be part of it.”