BLACKPOOL schoolkids said goodbye to the classroom and clowned around for a day.

In a unique event, 140 children spent a fun-filled day at Blackpool Tower where teachers proved to them that learning can be fun!

The day included treasure hunts in the Undersea World Aquarium, a retrieval task in Jungle Jim's, trips to the top of the Tower and dancing/music sessions in the Tower Ballroom.

The "Tower of Learning" event yesterday (Wednesday, February 19) was organised by Education Action Zone, a strand of the Excellence in Cities initiative which aims to increase educational attainment across Blackpool. The Education Action Zone is also designed to help deal with problems of pupil mobility by supporting pupils and families who relocate to the town.

All seven Education Action Zone schools in Blackpool took part - Claremont, Kincraig, St John's Church of England, Boundary, and Revoe Primary Schools, Devonshire Juniors and Beacon Hill High School. Students were aged between nine and 12 years old and all were involved in projects to promote understanding and identify how best they learn.

Cllr Eddie Collett, Blackpool Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Education, said: "The Tower of Learning event was huge fun for all involved, with the day beginning and ending at the Circus. Students were so busy clowning around and juggling activities, they were surprised at the end of the day how much they'd actually learnt and how much fun they'd had!

"The Excellence in Blackpool initiative is now a year old and is certainly having a dramatic impact on educational achievement, helping to push and motivate students to achieve their full potential."

The day was sponsored by Blackpool Tower. Marc W Etches, Managing Director of Leisure Parcs Ltd, owner of the Tower, said: "Blackpool Tower is an inspirational building. I hope that the venue helped to inspire these young children to better understand the process of learning and what they can do to help themselves achieve their full potential.

"Many people and organisations across Blackpool are working tirelessly to support the education of young people and the provision of Blackpool Tower and Circus for this event is part of our contribution to that widespread effort."

Dr David Sanders, the council's director for Education, Leisure and Cultural Services, said: "Variety is the spice of life and this learning day promised a whole range of new and exciting activities for children to enjoy - and yet for them to be learning at the same time.

"I applaud the preparatory work done and thank the Tower staff for their support."