Earlier this month, Years 5 and 6 from Calstock Primary School set off on a three-day adventure that took their learning well beyond the Tamar Valley and into the heart of Cornwall.
The trip marked the grand finale of North Side / South Side Storytelling, a creative heritage project from the Tamara Landscape Partnership Scheme that celebrates the natural and cultural stories on both sides of the River Tamar.
With Tamara’s Heritage of Innovation Officer, Gary, leading the way, the residential was all about stepping out of the classroom and into the wider world – discovering history, building confidence, and having a whole lot of fun along the way.
Their basecamp? The breezy and beautiful Treyarnon Youth Hostel. From there, the group packed in a full itinerary with just the right mix of exploration and exhilaration. They journeyed back in time at Bodmin Jail, wandered the ruins of Restormel Castle, and got hands-on with Cornwall’s clay-mining history at the Wheal Martyn Museum. But it wasn’t all about the past, there was plenty of present-day adventure too, with bodyboarding at Harlyn Bay, cycling the scenic Camel Trail, and launching into space (well, nearly!) at Newquay’s Spaceport Cornwall.
Gary Lewis, Senior Heritage Officer for the Tamara Scheme, said:
“The residential gave the pupils not only the chance to explore historic and innovative sites across the region but also the opportunity to develop new skills, strengthen friendships, and grow in independence during their time away from home. It was fantastic to see the children embracing every part of the experience – from exploring castles and clay mines to catching waves and cycling trails. They brought so much energy and curiosity, and it was a real privilege to share this final chapter of the project with them.”
The residential wraps up two years of imaginative storytelling, river-inspired creativity, and hands-on heritage learning – a brilliant finale for a project that’s been all about discovery, connection, and celebrating the places we call home.
