Their first attempt at a new sport was also chance for pupils to do some extra-curricular team building.

Once pupils and teachers had successfully negotiated the first hurdle of struggling into their wet suits, they were divided into groups alternating between surf lessons and beach games.

Tutors were impressed by the desire to succeed - particularly as many pupils were novice surfers.

The trip was organised by Helen Notman, head of sixth form, who said: "The aim of the surfing experience was to develop team working skills alongside having a taster of a new sport. Surfing was chosen as I wanted to place the students in a relatively unfamiliar environment which meant that they were all largely working from the same base line."

Sophie Howard, one of the pupils, summed up the spirit of the day saying: "There also wasn't much surf so the waves were gentle and kind to us, but everyone had an amazing time, even if they didn't manage to stand on the board. Next time we will!"

Classmate Victoria Hedges added: "It was a general consensus that the trip was a great success and many of us intend to return – 'Surfs Up Dude'."