Sixth Form Students at The King's School gear up for epic India trip

For sixth form students attending The King's School in Ottery St Mary; there is a unique and exciting opportunity to travel to India as part of an initiative run by Goodwill Children's Homes.

The charity, which is based in Bristol and operates in southern India, has been supporting orphaned and destitute children with care and education since 1976.

Nub News went to the school to speak to the teachers and students involved.

Head of Mathematics, Rob Lunnun, said: "We had 36 apply this year, bearing in mind that's approximately a third of the year group. It's the fifth year that the school has run this, but it will be my first time going. I'll be accompanying Ali, who is leading the trip and next year I'll take over as leader - which is how it works."

Chemistry teacher Alison Argent-Wenz, leading the trip, said: "The culture has been established now, so these students that are going have known about it since they were in year 7. It's something they aspire to.

"The way they get accepted on the trip is basically through those five years of dedication, where they show evidence of all the ways that they have contributed around the school. For example, taking leadership opportunities, involvement with Ten Tors and community volunteering."

When asked about the trip, one of the students said: "From when we started in year 7, the students who have gone on the trip have come back and talked to the younger students about what they have seen and experienced. They make a video each year and seeing how amazing it looks is what made me want to do it."

The students will fly to India at the end of October, as newly enrolled year 13's; having been organising and fundraising for the trip since last November.

All the money raised goes straight into the Goodwill Children's charity pot, with payment for the trip having been supplied by the students themselves.

They will arrive in Kochi, on the coast of the southern state of Kerala. After a few days of acclimatising - where they get to see a Kathakali dance and get used to real Indian cuisine - they will embark on a long coach journey over the Western Ghats mountain range to a children's home located within the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.

Over the course of five days; students become involved with teaching lessons, helping out with maintenance around the site and painting murals to brighten up classrooms.

With no internet connection and only one film shown on the Sunday evening, there is nothing to distract from completely immersing themselves in the local community.

Trips will also be made to nearby villages and the rainforest, as part of an additional outreach programme organised by the charity.

"It's an experience of a lifetime" Ali says, whilst showing me photos of the previous groups who have gone out there: "They come back different people."

To help support the efforts of the King's India team you are invited to a quiz night, which is to be held at the school on Friday, June 28 from 7-9pm. It's £10 per team (of up to 6 people) and all proceeds go to the Goodwill Children's Homes Charity.

Click the red button below for more information on the work that the charity does.