We embarked on our voyage on Monday, 22 June, a scorching summer day, 10 students and 2 teachers' baggage piled up high on a bench at Portsmouth Marina, we waved goodbye to normality for the next 5 days, but nothing could have prepared us for the excitement that the trip had in store.

We were straight to it on Monday, with none of the JHA team having had any sailing experience, we tentatively boarded the 72-foot Challenger 5 (one of twenty boats built in 2000, with the sole purpose of racing around the world - a feat that this boat had completed multiple times - organisations and private owners alike now own the fleet) - The Tall Ships Crew, Skipper James, First Mate Kitty and Volunteers Becca and Natasha were immediately friendly and knowledgeable, and got our Team to work straight away. With an introduction on how to use the winches, safety jackets and some boat rules, we were surprised to be out on our first sailing adventure only an hour after leaving our bags in our cabins!

We learned that we would be split into two teams, and whilst one would do the cooking, the other would be up on deck etc, and this pattern would continue throughout the week. This ensured that everyone was able to experience all the myriad of tasks involved in the smooth running of a sailing expedition - no-one was spared from cutting onions, cleaning pots, tidying the galley and managing all these tasks whilst the boat pitched over waves (creating somewhat hilarious scenes - if sometimes a little seasickness!)

The first afternoon, we made our way to the Isle of White, quickly learning many of the skills which would become fundamental over the next five days. The Team immediately realised that this high-intensity work would require us to work together, and the Tall Ships Crew gave clear instructions on each of their roles. We docked at the Cowes Marina on the Isle of White, cooked dinner and ate together in the Galley and Skipper James talked us through our plan for the week.

Day two took us to Weymouth, where we learned many more skills throughout the day. The Team winched ropes, hoiked Halyards, and learned in action how to control the sheets (sails) on the boat. We saw as the Team banded together on this day, working hard, pushing each other and sharing their new knowledge to safely manouvre the boat until we docked for the evening. Thankfully, Skipper James managed to stream the England Game, so the Team sat in the Galley, cheering them on.

Day three was the hottest day of the year, at 35 degrees with no wind at all, we dropped anchor somewhere off the Jurassic Coast and spent the afternoon swimming! A highlight was the Team getting to drop into the Sea off the mast. Eventually, on this windless day, we made it to Poole; tired and perhaps a little sunburnt, the Team made dinner and relaxed for the rest of the evening, which was a wise choice given that the next day would be the most intense yet!

Day four, and we set off early from Poole to head back towards Portsmouth. By this time, the team was working together like a well-oiled machine. This day was an amazing 11 hour sailing day - the Tall Ships crew were incredible, and it was inspiring to see their knowledge and skills at their peak, as they and our Team 'Tacked' through the solent (turning the boat's bow through the wind so the wind shifts from one side to the other, enabling zigzag progress upwind) - It's hard to describe the feeling, as the boat was heeling from one side to another and the thrill of being almost in the water! The Team showed amazing resilience, strength and determination during this last day. This is no easy-feat, and the Tall Ships Crew pushed and encouraged our Team to do things that they may not have thought possible at the start of the week.

The final night saw us back in scorching hot Portsmouth where it all began, having learned so much, not just about sailing, but about the power of Team work, building resilience and that we are all more capable that we could have imagined.

A huge thank you, not just to the incredible Tall Ships Crew, but also to the Tall Ships organization who create these amazing experiences, and to Cross Keys Homes who sponsor us, as well as other Peterborough schools every year, to be able to access this once in a life time sailing expedition.

Read more about their work here - Tall Ships Youth Trust - Changing Young Lives at Sea