The pupils of Madras College in St Andrews have re-enacted the iconic Chariots of Fire beach run to mark the conclusion of a two-week cross- curricular project on the Olympic Games.

The S2 work not only included activities and projects in almost all subject areas, but also kept the pupils busy during their lunch break.

Throughout the fortnight, sporting activities including tennis, tae kwon do and athletics took place every lunchtime in cooperation with local sports clubs.

Although entirely voluntary, the sessions were well attended, and in many cases pupils followed them up with the clubs in their own time.

In lessons, the Olympics cropped up in all sorts of ways. The music department analysed the Vangelis theme tune from the 1981 movie that tells the story of two British track athletes who competed in the 1924 Olympics.

The film also played a role in drama classes, where crucial scenes were studied in more detail, while in maths, pupils looked at scoring and distances.

The metal used in the Olympic medals was the subject of science lessons, while RME discussed the ethics of the Olympics.

The countries which take part in the Olympics, and the languages spoken in them, made it on to the modern languages curriculum.

“The pupils have thoroughly enjoyed it”, said head Ian Jones. “There is really high-quality learning and teaching going on.”

As the final event of the fortnight, 240 pupils and 25 staff came together on the town’s West Sands to re-enact the Chariots of Fire run.

Pupils ran one, two or three miles - depending on their level of fitness - on the beach, supported by school staff supervising the event. They made a real effort to finish the challenge, and one girl even completed it in her wheelchair, said depute head Barry Miller.

www.madras.fife.sch.uknews_eventschariots_of_madras.html.