MOST children learn subjects like English and maths in school.

But at Colne Valley High School the art of skateboarding is capturing the pupils’ attention and they’re learning about grinds, kickflips and nollies.

In fact the sport is soaring so much in popularity that teachers are considering slotting it alongside the more traditional subjects on the school curriculum.

It joins a growing list of unusual PE topics enjoyed by pupils, including rock climbing and fly fishing.

Ian Bell, the extended schools manager, said: “If there is something pupils are particularly interested in doing at the school, we try and facilitate that.

“We used to take a group to Greenhead Park after school, but when it became too cold and wet we decided somewhere closer to where the students lived would be better so we started looking at doing something at the school.

“We got £2,000 funding and had some portable skateboard ramps made.

“Quite a few of the kids have been having a go and they seem to be really enjoying whizzing up and down.

“They are used by the skateboarding club, but the idea is that eventually other groups and members of the community will come along and make use of the ramps too.”

The plywood ramps, which are for skateboarding and BMX biking, are portable so can be set up in the car park or inside the school.

They were crafted by a local joiner and now waiting for the youngsters to decorate them with their own design stamp.

Ian said the skateboarding could be incorporated into the school’s PE curriculum and hopes talented local skateboarders will get involved in passing on their skills to the next generation.

He said: “It could very easily be incorporated into PE lessons. At the school we aim to offer pupils a wide range of experiences, so as well as the more traditional sports they can learn things like fly fishing and rock climbing.

“Not everyone is interested in sports like rugby and football so the idea is that we give pupils the chance to try something new and hopefully learn a skill that they are good at and enjoy.

“Skateboarding is also good for things like balance and promotes teamwork.”

“There’s been a good positive reaction. As far as I know no other schools offer this, but hopefully it will catch on!”