Report by Natasha W, (new) Year 9

This year’s Cornish Creative trip revolved around art consisting of paintings and sculpture with inspiration from the natural wildlife of the Cornish Coast. Mrs Evans kindly organised this trip to take 27 pupils to experience the beauty of Cornwall and find out why so many artists found their individuality there.

The trip lasted 4 days and 3 nights, setting off on Monday 1 July 2024 and returning on the Thursday, with pupils in school on Friday creating pieces inspired by our adventures on foot or by coach. Pupils and staff stayed in bell tents in Treyanon, which is a 5-minute walk to the picturesque beach. From the kindness of Mrs Evans’s heart, pupils were allowed to go down to the beach on the evening of our delayed arrival to explore, draw, take photos and even feel the waves on our feet.

The journey down to St Ives on Tuesday was a sticky one as the sharp and narrow bends of the country lanes caused the coach to get stuck for 2 and a half hours, blocking the flow of traffic and causing us to be late for our planned activities. But, despite the little detour and moaning teenagers, we successfully made it to Tate St Ives, the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden and St Ives School of Painting to enjoy the rest of our day. Miss Simpson’s group had a good chuckle as a pesky seagull came down and snatched up her barely touched ice cream and soon after stole a pupil’s sandwich. After the battle with the seagulls was over and the activities were done, the (new) Year 9s and 10s were sent off to explore St Ives for an hour to do whatever they desired. Many purchased food, others sat down and drew, but once it was over, we were back on the coach and heading back to the youth hostel. That evening a sand sculpture competition was held - pupils teamed up and used the sand on the beach to create masterpieces.

On Wednesday, the coach driver took us down to The Eden Project for the day, allowing everyone to do as much or as little as they wanted (as well as letting pupils find places to charge their phones). Many pupils had things to say about the Eden Project and how ‘it was amazing to see all the landscapes’ or ‘it was incredible’. For our final night in Treyanon, we sat around a campfire and all had roasted marshmallows for dessert.

Thursday was our final day in colourful Cornwall, so we stretched our time to make it last by having our final lunch on the beach. Unfortunately, the third seagull attack took place and took another sandwich, wrapper and all, from a pupil. But that was it, 4 full days were over in a flash and we all came back to Cirencester (after 7 hours in traffic).

Our thanks to all the staff for putting this trip together.