STAFF and pupils at Westville House School in Ilkley enjoyed blasting off into space and hosting a wonderful Space Day for over 150 children from local schools.

Enjoying a bird’s eye view of the galaxy from a gently lit planetarium, all the children were taken on an incredible journey around the stars and planets.

The Planetarium, run by the Wonder Dome mobile planetarium company, uses a 360 degree camera with special effects to allow children fun and interactive space sessions. Specially trained astronomers presented to the children and were on hand to answer lots of questions.

Parents and children had put together lots of props including a UFO suspended from the Sports Hall ceiling, and many arrived in wonderful space costumes.

Children from Carleton Primary School, Embsay Primary School and Bronte House Primary School joined Westville pupils and undertook a wide range of activities from making the solar system from marsh mallows and spaghetti, to building rockets and launching them into space.

Mr Chris Adamthwaite, deputy head and Space Day organiser said: “It was brilliant to see so many children interacting and learning so much about infinity and beyond. Everyone had a brilliant time and so much fun whilst fulfilling the needs of the educational curriculum.”