A GROUP of Southampton school pupils are today due to embark on a trip of a lifetime to the Philippines to help build a school playground.

Staff and students from Sholing Technology College are heading to Manilla, where a school has been created using redundant shipping containers, in partnership with the Hedge End-based charity Philippines Commun-ity Fund.

Joining them on the trip will be students from Itchen College, who previously took part in the project to build the school in 2008.

Retired teacher Dave Berry, who is leading the project again this year said: “When we travelled to the Philippines in 2008, it was intended to be a one-off project.

“What we experienced as a team was life-changing, and when some of the students came to me and proposed a return visit, I didn’t need any persuasion.”