AFTER months of gruelling preparations Coln House School teenager Jack Edgell is finally taking part in the ultimate altitude experience on Everest base camp as part of the Highest Classroom on Earth challenge.

The 15-year-old left last week on the15-day trek to Everest base camp accompanied by the Fairford school’s deputy head Richard Lewis as well as sporting legends and business mentors including retired England rugby captain, Lewis Moody.

Jack is one of just 10 students from schools for pupils with complex learning difficulties and challenging behaviour selected to take part in the challenge.

Jack, from Great Rissington, was ready for the challenge and looking forward to what lay ahead in Nepal over the next few weeks. He said: “It will be the best experience I will have in my life.”

Mr Lewis said: “The preparations have gone really well. Jack went on a school trip to the Pyrenees before the summer at an altitude of 3,000 metres which was really useful to test his gear. Jack is extremely excited. I doubt that he realizes the extreme challenge that he is going on. The trek could place him under a lot of stress and pressure.

“The challenge has already done a lot for Jack. He has grown in confidence. I have watched him already grow into a young man and hopefully he can return and turn this into academic success.”

The group intends to go one better than Everest base camp and reach the summit of Kala Patthar which at 5,550 metres is 1500 feet higher than base camp.

“That will be as high as I have ever been,” said ex-Royal Marine Mr Lewis. And he admitted that he was “feeling very nervous.”

Jack was well-prepared for the harsh conditions thanks to the generosity of Rendcomb GP Dr Ian Davis, who donated clothing and equipment.

Dr Davis has been actively involved in polar medicine for several years and has provided medical back-up on many expeditions including the annual Polar Challenge and has been polar adviser to Bear Grylls. He also came up the idea of Top Gear driving a Toyota across the polar landscape and accompanied the team.

Mr Lewis said: “We were really lucky that Dr Davis has donated a lot of gear. We were extremely pleased and grateful for his support.”

• Follow Jack and Richard’s adventure on the Coln House School facebook page @ColnHouseSchool