Coombeshead Academy students embark on life-changing expedition to Peru

15 students from Coombeshead Academy in Newton Abbot, part of Education South West, spent four transformative weeks in Peru over the summer, embarking on an adventure filled with community projects, cultural immersion, and a challenging trek to Machu Picchu.

The students began their journey at Camp Moray, located in the mountainous Valleys of Moray, 3,600 meters above sea level. While there, they worked alongside the local community to build three additional bathrooms, doubling the village's washroom facilities. Immersed in Peruvian life, they learned how to cook using traditional mud ovens, picked up some phrases in Quechua, the local language, and explored an ancient Inca site where over 3,600 varieties of potatoes are grown in a unique micro-climate. In exchange, they taught local children how to play the game Duck Duck Goose.

Next, the group descended to Camp Sacred Valley, where their project focused on creating a community garden for locals to grow and sell crops. Together, they planted 200 avocado trees, which will help generate income for the area. Their time in the Sacred Valley also included a three-hour hike to a stunning natural waterfall, which they described as "truly magical”.

From there, the students travelled to Camp Maras, where they helped refurbish a play area for nursery children. After hours of hard work digging, raking, and painting, the playground was reopened for the community to enjoy. They also worked with a local school, teaching English and assisting with tasks like cleaning and preparing the land for a new irrigation system. To protect crops from the intense Peruvian sun, they helped sew fabric shelters.

The final challenge of the trip was the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, a gruelling five-day hike that tested the students’ endurance. Every student successfully completed the trek, culminating in a visit to the iconic Incan citadel, one of the modern wonders of the world.

Eva, a Year 11 student, reflected on the experience: "I loved all the project work and getting to know the communities, especially teaching young students English. The trek to Machu Picchu was the hardest but also the most rewarding part. The views were amazing, and I’d recommend a trip like this to anyone eager to explore the world."

Helen Coulson, Headteacher at Coombeshead Academy, praised the students for their commitment: "I am incredibly proud of all the students. This was an adventure they’ll never forget, and they made a real difference to the communities they visited, improving living conditions and supporting local economies while fully embracing Peruvian culture."

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, added: "This was an incredible trip. The students not only saw amazing sights but also developed important skills and reflected on their place in the world. Hopefully, this adventure shows them that with determination, they can achieve anything, even in the mountains of Peru."