FROM gender swapping to robotics, it has been a busy time at a Trowbridge school.

Youngsters at the John of Gaunt School have been taking part in a range of activities in the run-up to the summer holidays. Altogether 60 pupils from year nine took part in a workshop aiming to challenge the ideas behind typical male and female careers.

The boys got the chance to try their hand at hairdressing and early years childcare, while the girls got behind the wheel of a Formula 3 racing car and took a look at the range of jobs available within the sport.

The event took place at Wiltshire College Trowbridge, and was a great success, as the youngsters tried out careers many would never have thought of before.

Helen Kerr, personal development team leader at the school, said: "The real joy of the day was that every pupil had real fun and that, after all, is the best way to learn."

Meanwhile, Year 10 students took part in an industry day, going into school in business dress rather than uniform for the day and taking part in a series of workshops aiming to give them a taste of the world of work.

Primary school children also had the chance to learn while enjoying themselves, as they took part in a problem-solving week organised through the John of Gaunt's specialist school primary link scheme.

On Friday more than 100 youngsters from Parochial, Staverton, Newtown and Southwick primary schools had their minds challenged by a variety of 3D puzzles in all forms, focussing on building teamwork and problem solving skills.

Children from Walwayne Court, Studley Green and Holt primary schools also took part in the problem-solving week, with a robotics day held on Monday, run with the help of postgraduates and engineers from Bath University.