On the last Friday before May half term, Year 12 students went into the centre of Manchester to get involved in “Race Across The World: The Experience” - an immersive orienteering challenge inspired by the hit TV show, where teams navigate the city, solve challenges, and compete against the clock.
This live experience transformed Manchester into a playground for teams who engaged in a high-stakes race, navigating the city without maps or public transport, relying solely on their strategy and teamwork. The entire year group participated in teams of five and followed instructions given by the event organisers via WhatsApp.
The orienteering challenge tested students’ ability to navigate across Manchester to get to checkpoints such as famous buildings, statues and murals some of which were relatively simple to find and others took some significant detective work. At each of the checkpoints, we were tasked with a logic puzzle or riddle based on the environment that we found ourselves in, teams could use hints by purchasing them using the £30 “Cash” allocated at the start of the game and earn more of it by “working” and solving other puzzles. After each puzzle, the teams would be shown a position of their time on the leaderboard in comparison to other teams which added an exciting competitive element to teams who were aiming to win.
The winning team completed the entire challenge in 2 hours 22 minutes, which not only won the race among Year 12 but also set the record for the challenge as a whole, securing prizes from Mrs Ammerlaan and Miss Jestin. After each group had completed the race, we came back together in Piccadilly Gardens to catch up about the challenge and determine the final winners. With 3 groups walking away with prizes we were able to take the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the sunny weather in Manchester and get some lunch to eat in Piccadilly Gardens. Overall, the experience allowed the entire year group to enjoy a day out together in a different environment and really work together, getting behind a competitive spirit which made the afternoon off in Manchester all the more enjoyable and a great way to end the half-term.
Henry Gouge, Year 12