Youngsters who have swapped the classroom for the community in a special education programme are soon to upgrade their off-campus classroom for a sailing ship.

Youngsters who have swapped the classroom for the community in a special education programme are soon to upgrade their off-campus classroom for a sailing ship.

But only if they can raise the cash to pay for their food and keep.

Three teenagers, aged between 14 and 16, are taking part in XLER8, run by Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service and paid for by Reepham High School, where they go for the other four days in the week they are not on the scheme.

They now have their sights set on a special sailing trip through the Cirdan Trust in Maldon, Essex, later this year.

And they are hoping the people of Reepham will help by taking them up on a bob-a-job offer to help them pay for food on the trip.

The sailing trip will add a residential element to their skills portfolio, gained while on the programme which runs in conjunction with their GCSEs.

Skills already being learned through their out-of-school activities including citizenship, communication, preparation for work, fire and rescue and team building.

Mark Keddie, XLER8 adviser who is running the course, said it was a great opportunity.

“It is a different way of learning. They are really taking it seriously and treat it as real jobs. It is great for them to be out in the community.”

The group has also been working on a community project, refurbishing Rays Hall in Reepham. It used to be the town's fire station as well as a Wesleyan chapel and is now used by Guide and Brownie groups.

They meet during the day every Monday during school term as part of an option in the final two years of their education.

A similar scheme is run at a school in Norwich and more schools are due to start taking part in the project.

For more information or to help contact 07919 492241 on Mondays between 10am and 3pm.