Launceston College Students Complete Welsh Three Peaks Challenge

Three mountains. One day. A group of Cornwall teenagers who probably ached in places they did not know existed.

Sixth form students from Launceston College have completed the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge, summiting Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen y Fan inside 24 hours.

A Tough Start on Snowdon

The group set off for their first peak after an early start and a long journey the day before. Snowdon greeted them with difficult weather, but every student in the party made it to the summit.

From there, the team moved on to Cadair Idris, the second of the three mountains. Staff said the students kept going through the harder stretches by leaning on each other, with teamwork holding the group together as fatigue set in.

📷Ready to climb

Pen y Fan to Finish

The final climb took them up Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons, completing the trio of summits inside the 24 hour window that gives the challenge its name.

Matthew Thompson, Principal at Launceston College, said:

“We could not be prouder of our students. Completing the Welsh Three Peaks is a brilliant achievement and their resilience, teamwork and attitude throughout was exceptional.”

📷Snowdon selfie

Part of the Sixth Form Offer

The trip is part of the enrichment programme at Launceston Sixth, which is designed to give students opportunities to build skills, experience and confidence outside the classroom.

Launceston College, part of Athena Learning Trust, is rated Good by Ofsted across every category inspected, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.

Inspectors noted that all pupils, including those with SEND, follow a broad and ambitious curriculum, learning new knowledge in a logical order and building on what they already know. Sixth form students study for qualifications well matched to their future aspirations, with work that is suitably demanding. Pupils attending the specially resourced provision follow a curriculum that meets their needs and capabilities.

📷The Launceston group takes a well-earned rest at the top of Cadair Idris