LUCKY school children visited the world’s volcanoes, took a trip to Antarctica, and came face-to-face with a group of penguins – all while sat in their own classroom.

The unique day was made possible by Google Expeditions, which took Year 1-11 pupils from Bromsgrove School on a futuristic virtual reality learning session.

The event, on January 19, enabled pupils to go on virtual field trips, bringing abstract concepts to life to gain an understanding of the world beyond the classroom.

Miss Emma Johnston, digital guide coordinator and maths teacher, said: "We were delighted to welcome Google to Bromsgrove School.

"The Google Expeditions Pioneer Programme was outstanding. Our students were excited and engaged whilst taking virtual reality learning to a whole new level."

Among the topics explored were eye anatomy, climate change, the solar system, wind, Martin Luther King, Golden Hills Energy, the digestive system, and astronomy.

Prep Year 3 pupils also took a trip to Antarctica and got up close to penguins and leopard seals whilst learning about the future of the continent.

The experience is made possible through Google Cardboard Viewer – a virtual reality headset which connects to a smartphone.

Teachers then select a destination from a tablet and the entire classroom is taken to a virtual reality.

The trips contain 360 degree photo spheres, 3D images, video and ambient sounds, and are annotated with facts, points of interest, and questions for children.

The Wildlife Conservation Society, PBS, the American Museum of Natural History, the Planetary Society and the Palace of Versailles contributed to the curriculum.