77179-16A college is running a summer school for the first time this year. The week-long activities programme at New College offers a number of courses, ranging from single-day tasters to week-long intensive programmes.

Paula Kinmel, who is co-ordinating the summer school, said: "It will be a fantastic opportunity for parents and carers to get together and enjoy some great activities with their kids.

"It's also a chance to make use of New College's excellent facilities while it's quiet."

As well as active sports such as fencing and archery there are a number of more relaxing activities available.

Students will have the chance to create their own board game or use mathematics to make models which can be taken home afterwards.

Puppet Theatre is a day course that will give students the chance to make cardboard theatres using art and craft materials, as well as puppet characters and even record a tape with sound effects.

Courses for adults only include a watercolour course, which will include time at Lydiard Park.

There will also be classes on gift wrapping, multimedia techniques and even a course that attempts to answer the ultimate question of what happens when we die.

For more information call the free information line on 0808 172 1721.

The Introduction to the Philosophy of Spiritualism will be an investigation of life's greatest mystery.

The cost of courses range from £8 for a day course.