Okehampton pupils enjoy seaside break after recent school fire disruption

A children’s charity has stepped in to support pupils from a fire-hit school in Okehampton by giving them a break by the sea.

Children from The Promise School travelled to a coastal centre in Cornwall after their school was badly damaged by fire, offering them time away from the disruption of recent weeks.

READ NEXT: £50m defence boost announced for Plymouth to ‘create jobs and investment’

Two groups of pupils took part in the trips, with around 20 children attending in total. 

The visits included a range of outdoor and beach-based activities aimed at helping them relax and spend time together.

The breaks were organised by the charity Go Beyond after it learned about the impact of the fire on the school community.

Charlotte Ward-Lewis, Children and Partnerships Manager, said: “We read how upset pupils, staff and parents were and we wanted to do something to help.”

Ms Ward-Lewis contacted the school’s vice-principal, Lisa Paton, and arranged a visit to the charity’s coastal centre in Tywardreath, and, within days, two trips had been set up.

Miss Paton said: “It was a wonderful offer and just what we needed after the upset of recent events.

“They loved every minute of it. They were outdoors, on the beach and enjoying being back together.”

Following the fire, some pupils were taught online at home before moving into temporary accommodation within the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust.

The charity provides free residential breaks for children aged eight to 13 facing challenges such as poverty, bereavement and mental health difficulties.

In 2025, more than 1,100 children attended a Go Beyond break, with the charity reporting improvements in wellbeing and confidence among those taking part. 

All Go Beyond breaks are provided free of charge to children and their families. 

The charity does not receive regular government or statutory funding and relies on fundraising and grants to deliver its services, with the average cost of a break at £1,200 per child.

Go Beyond staff worked closely with The Promise School to adapt activities for children with special educational needs.

Ms Ward-Lewis said: “We often have children with special needs visiting our centres but this is the first time we have worked with a special school. But going forward we would definitely like to work with more.”