This year, Whitstone Community Primary School’s residential visit was to the outdoor education centre at Porthpean on Cornwall’s stunning south coast, overlooking the expansive St Austell Bay.

After lunching on Porthpean Beach, pupils trooped to the centre and were shown their accommodation – some rather glamorous pods. Having deposited their bags in their allocated pods, they were straight into their first activity: archery, in which concentration and hand-eye co-ordination are prime attributes. They were certain that their archer ancestors would be proud of their prowess with the bow. Closely following the archery was their next activity – caving.

Although the caves they were exploring had been constructed at the centre, the experience was a realistic one, providing chambers, rises and falls, sumps and squeezes.

The chambers were of different shapes and sizes, and to negotiate the claustrophobic tunnels linking the caves involved contorting the body into some odd positions; flexibility was definitely an advantage. Having assuaged their hunger with a tasty curry, it was time for a silent disco. A silent disco? It’s a disco where each of them wore headphones; a practice, no doubt, that was much appreciated by the neighbours!

Day two saw them returning to the beach, where they were going to kayak and paddle board. The session started with a beach-based briefing, learning all about lifting, launching and paddling.

Then they were off on an adventure around St Austell Bay. They passed through archways, exploring sea caves and beaches that can only be reached by sea.

They were lucky enough on their voyage of discovery to encounter some marine locals in the shape of a couple of grey seals. The day’s activities were rounded off with an exciting game of laser tag.

All too soon, it was their last day at the centre. Their final activity was the high ropes, a challenge, literally and figuratively, on many levels.

Amongst the elements they experienced were the leap of faith, the wobbly walkways, the zip wire and the alpine ladder. They had a great time at Porthpean and offer a big thank-you not only to the instructors at the centre but also the members of their staff who organised the trip and accompanied them.