Students at a Dartford secondary school all pulled together to welcome a clutch of new partners.

Dartford Science and Technology College students took part in a tractor pull to celebrate becoming a co-operative learning trust.

The move will see the 750-strong school in Heath Lane partner with more than 1,000 other schools across the country.

Darent Valley Hospital, the University of Greenwich, healthcare company Abbott and science, technology, engineering and mathematics network Stemnet will also offer guidance, careers advice and work experience to pupils as part of the new arrangement.

At the launch event on October 14, Darent Valley chief executive Susan Acott addressed pupils, who also took part in other team-building exercises.

All students contributed to a mosaic rendering of the school’s watchwords equality, solidarity and self-responsibility.

Principal Seamus Murphy said: "The tractor pull started off with four members of staff trying and failing to pull it.

"Then some of our year seven girls joined in and helped to pull a three-and-a-half tonne tractor more than 100 yards, which just shows what we can achieve when we work together."