LUCKY students took a school trip to the Great Barrier Reef and the Great Wall of China - without even having to leave their classroom.

Pupils at Colchester Royal Grammar school were selected by IT giants Google to take part in preview of the corporation’s cutting-edge technology.

The Google Expeditions Programme allows teachers to take their classes on school trips using virtual reality technology.

On Friday, 20 classes at the Lexden school took part in the scheme, which saw them take a trip to the Great Wall of China.

They even went back in time for a close encounter with a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

John Russell, school head, said: “This was a great opportunity to provide the students with a memorable experience.

“Not only did they get to learn about the subject matter on the virtual trip, but also about virtual reality technology.

“We are a traditional school, but also one that is forward-thinking and embraces new technology, provided it has a clear benefit to our students.”

Google Expeditions is a free programme available to all schools.

Once signed up, the company provides cardboard virtual reality headsets and a Google expert who helps teachers run lessons using the technology.

Using the kit, teachers are able to send synchronised three-dimensional 360° panoramas to students’ cardboard headsets.

They can also point out areas of interest in real-time.

Google experts are set to visit Heathlands Primary School, in West Bergholt today.

Schools can sign up to take part in the scheme at google.com/edu/expeditions/#how-it-works.