A group of combined cadets from Westcliff High School for Boys were given a special invitation to the RSME Boat School.

The aim of the day was to show the cadets a different aspect of the military which they would otherwise not have been privileged to experience.

The Year 10 pupils went to the Royal School of Military Engineering Boat School, where Drew Sherston had organised a range of activities for them.

These included a teamwork element, where pupils had to paddle across a lake in a military vessel.

In the afternoon, they were shown around and travelled on a Mk6 Assault Boat and a Mk3 Rigid Raider where they got to ask the operators questions about these boats and also look at the jet engine and circulation system.

Lieutenant Harry Tresidder, who teaches physics at the school, said: “The reason our cadets were invited was that our school’s staff instructor had previously served with Drew Sherston.

“We are very proud of them and they represented the school impressively throughout the day.”