A group of children from Boskenwyn and Germoe Primry Schools enjoyed a fantastic Easter break as they were rewarded for academic performance with a subsidised skiing trip to Italy.

The year five and six pupils left their families behind and headed off to the village of Pila with the schools' executive head teacher Paula Quinney and year five and six teacher Zoe Symons.

The children were offered a place on the trip after being awarded medals for being 'Learning Champions' in July 2015. The trip was subsidised with Government funding from the Sport Premium along with community funding from Cornwall Councillors John Keeling, for Breage, Germoe and Sithney and Walter Sanger, for St Keverne and Meneage, and parents contributed the remainder of the cash.

Miss Symons said: “On the way up in the gondola the children were excited over a tiny pile of snow. When they saw the blanket of white they said things like 'it’s a winter wonderland' and 'it looks like Narnia' and their faces were a picture.”

The group travelled by coach to Pila, in the Aosta Valley, Italy, with Interski Travel.

Mrs Quinney said: “It is unusual for schools to take primary children skiing but it is the ideal time for them to learn; the earlier the better. They could all ski by the end of the week.

“Children should be given the opportunity to excel in all areas, not just literacy and maths; they are all unique.

They will remember this forever and will have new skills for life, including resilience, independence, teamwork and patience.”

There are still reception class places at Boskenwyn School and Germoe School, and staff would be happy to show around any parents who call to arrange a visit.

The schools are also running activity days for families, with marshmallow toasting, den building, a science extravaganza, rocket launching, and more. They will be at Germoe on Saturday, May 14, from 10am to 2pm, and Boskenwyn on Saturday, June 18, from 10am to 2pm.

For information contact Boskenwyn School on 01326 572618 and Germoe School on 0173 6763310.