Ramsey Grammar School pupils’ coach for a trip to Amsterdam didn’t turn up at Heysham.

They were planning to visit the Netherlands as part of what the school calls its ’standalone’ week.

During that they take part in activities on and off-island to, as the school puts it, ’extend their educational experiences beyond the classroom’.

The pupils bound for Amsterdam had to return to the island because of the travel glitch.

Headteacher Annette Baker said: ’Members of the Steam Packet Company staff on the Ben-my-Chree and on shore could not have been more helpful to our students and staff when they were confronted with an unexpected change to their arrangements.

’On-board staff were a fantastic support to everybody and the ground crew worked quickly with the school to rearrange the trip for our students.

’All’s well that ends well and the students.

’With the help of the Steam Packet Company and a much appreciated swift response from the travel company, are now benefiting from two trips for the price of one.’

The pupils went to Liverpool instead and will go to Amsterdam in September.

Graeme Corrin, deputy headteacher with responsibility for the overall organisation of ’standalone’ trips, thanked Steam Packet staff Mel Jones and Wayne Lisy.