LAST month Court Fields School took 15 eager Key Stage 4 students off for a long weekend down to the stunning Cornish coastal town of St Ives.

As the UK’s number one spot for artists and photographers, they soaked up the atmosphere and immersed themselves in everything the town could offer.

The trip started on Friday, October 25, with a visit to the incredible Eden Project where students spent time exploring both the rainforest and Mediterranean biomes, taking photos and drawing sketches of everything they saw.

On day two, students headed to Porthmeor beach to join the Surf School for a two-hour lesson. The sun was shining, the sky was a beautiful blue and, after some initial balancing difficulties, everyone managed to stand up at least once, including Art teachers Mrs Binmore and Miss West.

After warming up with hot chocolate and coffee, the artists in the group joined local artist Rowena Temples back down on the beach for some mark-making workshops.

Sunday morning saw the group taking a three-hour walking photography tour with local professional photographer Chris Webber, who timed it perfectly to photograph St Ives’ resident seal, who popped his head up to say hello.

Following this they spent some brief time at the Barbara Hepworth Museum, before a story telling ghost walk tour of the darker side of St Ives. Tour guide Shanty arrived fully dressed up with crook and lantern to lead the tour through smugglers dens and graveyards, where students heard old folk lore and some disturbing accounts of nighttime ghost activity.

The final morning took them to Tate St Ives, where students were toured and workshopped by Greg Humphries who really engaged the students in their drawing and understanding of abstract art.

A quick call back to the Youth Hostel to collect lunch then saw them on their way back up the A30, heading towards home.

A representative of the school said: “It is fair to say the students were exhausted after a fabulous trip. The school is already looking forward to next year’s trip.”