The course teaches fire-lighting skills

The survivalist classes, which last up to two years, teach youngsters aged between 14 and 16 how to build fires, construct shelters and forage for food.

The Goblin Combe Environment Centre, a registered charity, started running the the Bushcraft Academy in Cleeve, Somerset, last academic year.

The courses are paid for by participating schools.

It is hoped the scheme will be rolled out across the district and into Bristol and Weston-super-Mare.

Forty children "at risk of social exclusion" were enrolled on the course at the start of the academic year.

'Massive impact'

Pupils are sent to the academy once a week during term time for two years.

Tutors hope to build their confidence and help provide them with the social skills to adapt to adult life by escaping from the confines of the classroom.

Wendy Watkins, training manager at the centre, said: "It's had a massive impact on those who've taken part on the courses, which are unique.

"It's fair to say the courses are a bit like Ray Mears. They do all sorts of things on them but the aim is personal development.

"We have 130 acres of woodland at the centre so they go out and explore it.

"We teach shelter building, fire-lighting, they have been roasting chestnuts, which they foraged for, in an oven they had made, and various team-building and self-esteem exercises."

Other subjects on the bushcraft curriculum, include tree planting, path clearing and maintaining the woodlands.