The Lealands car park was buzzing with excitement as we prepared for our 3.00am departure to Heathrow, heading for a British Airways flight to Milan Linate in Italy. After a scenic 90 minute coach transfer on the other side, we arrived at our home for the week, the Hotel Vittoria in Spiazzi Di Gromo.

We spent our first afternoon getting kitted out with ski boots, skis, poles, and helmets before finally settling into our rooms to prepare for a busy week ahead.

Monday began promptly at 9.00am for the first of our four hour daily ski lessons. The students showed great determination from the very first minute and after a busy day on the snow, we headed up the road for an evening of ice skating before a well-earned sleep.

Tuesday brought even more adventure; after another full day of lessons, we travelled to the very top of the mountain by chair lift to take in the spectacular views. This provided the perfect backdrop for photos, hot chocolates and snowball fights. The journey back down the mountain was one of the week’s highlights, as we took our seats in a "snowcat" for a bumpy, hilarious, and completely unforgettable ride that everyone navigated safely.

Wednesday came and we did it all again out on the slopes, refining our skiing technique. After three full on days, the students enjoyed some much-needed downtime in the evening to relax and spend time with their friends.

Thursday marked our final day on the snow, and it was great to see every single student move off the nursery slopes and head up the main mountain. Seeing their progress and the immense pride they felt in their own achievements was a highlight for all the staff.

Once the kit was returned on Thursday afternoon, we were joined by the ski instructors for a special medal ceremony to recognise the incredible resilience and skill shown by our students throughout the week. There was just enough time for a visit to the local souvenir shop to pick up gifts for family back home before our Friday departure. We headed back to the airport for our flight to Heathrow, exhausted but buzzing from the experience.

It was a fabulous week in Italy, filled with unforgettable memories and new friendships, and every student should be incredibly proud of what they achieved.

All the photos from the trip are available to view on our Gallery Page here.