WORLD renowned explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes has praised The King Alfred School for setting up the country’s first secondary school Scout Group.

The 1st King Alfred Scouts meets at the Highbridge school every Wednesday and is run by English teacher Lizzie Harvey and nine other staff volunteers.

Speaking about the group, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, said: “Well done to these incredible students and The King Alfred School, an Academy.

“Outdoor activities make for brilliant people, well rounded and with self-confidence to try and achieve the impossible.”

The newly established Scout Group is being run as part of the school day.

The school’s principal Nathan Jenkins said: “This new Scouting part of our school will be the latest part of us wanting to provide all the skills required for a student to be thoroughly prepared for success.”