Residential Trips 2025–2026
We are pleased to share the details of our residential trips for the academic year 2025–2026:
- Group 1: 29th June – 2nd July 2026
Destination: Peak District - Group 2: 6th July – 9th July 2026
Destination: Peak District - Group 3: 1st July – 3rd July 2026
Destination: Boreatton Park
We look forward to providing all pupils with engaging, memorable, and enriching experiences during these residential visits.
Castlewood School Residential Trips Report Summer 2024
At Castlewood School, we firmly believe in the transformative power of outdoor learning, particularly as our students have Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Each year, we prioritise residential trips as a cornerstone of our educational approach. These trips are not merely excursions; they are integral to our holistic strategy to foster personal growth, social skills, and emotional resilience among our pupils.
Residential trips provide our students with unique opportunities that extend far beyond the traditional classroom setting. They supplement and enrich our core curriculum by offering real-world experiences that are vital for the development of life skills. Through activities such as rock climbing, caving, hill walking, and communal living, pupils learn to navigate challenges, build teamwork, and develop a sense of independence and self-confidence. These experiences are crucial in helping our students manage their emotions, interact positively with others, and build resilience in the face of adversity.
In this report, we will share insights into why these trips are a priority for our school, you will see how they align with our educational goals, and the specific benefits they provide to our pupils. By understanding the impact of these residential trips, we hope to demonstrate their value and the significant role they play in enriching the educational journey of our students.
Residential Trips such as these have countless and multiple learning opportunities, but the defined aims of our Residential Trips were as follows:
Enhanced Social Skills and Teamwork
- Engaging in activities such as rock climbing, caving, and hill walking, pupils will learn to communicate effectively, collaborate with peers, and develop trust and cooperation in a group setting.
Improved Emotional Regulation and Resilience
- The challenges and adventures presented by activities like bike riding and rock-climbing will help pupils build emotional resilience, cope with new experiences, and manage their emotions in different situations.
Increased Self-confidence and Independence
- Through experiences such as managing their own belongings, participating in communal tasks like BBQs and campfires, and navigating the activities, pupils will gain confidence in their abilities and foster a sense of independence.
This year’s Residential Trips were initially aimed at Year 6 to Year 8 pupils. As space allowed, Year 9 pupils were also offered the opportunity. To fill any remaining spaces six year 10 pupils were added based on their reward points, one Year 3 pupil who works in the Year 6 class and one Year 5 pupil also attended a residential trip.
- In total 35 of our pupils have attended a residential trip this summer.
- 63% of pupils Year 6 to Year 9 (for whom it was deemed appropriate) attended a residential trip.
- Pupils who very recently joined our school or pupils of significant risk were not offered a trip, and were therefore not deemed appropriate, they have had this explained to them. We hope to include these next year if circumstances allow.
- 13 staff volunteered their time to support these trips, many of them attending more than 1 week.
Trip 1 – Kingswood Colomendy, nr Mold, Wales
· Wednesday 22nd May to Friday 24th May 2024
o This is a residential activity centre in North Wales
o The accommodation is dormitory-style and all meals are provided by the centre in the canteen.
o All activities are instructed and supervised by Kingswood Staff with SEN training
o 15 pupils (Year 6 & 7, plus one Year 3 & one Year 5 pupil) attended this trip and were supported by 5 of our staff
o The pupils enjoyed rock-climbing, height-based challenges, camp fire and team building activities
Trip 2, 3 and 4 – Thorpe Farm Bunkhouse, Hathersage, Peak District
· Week 1 – Monday 17th June to Thursday 20th June 2024
o 8 pupils – Year 8 & Year 9
o 5 staff
· Week 2 – Monday 24th June to Thursday 27th June 2024
o 9 pupils – Year 7 & Year 8
o 5 staff
· Week 3 – Monday 1st July to Thursday 4th July 2024
o 8 pupils – Year 9 & Year 10
o 5 staff
· We were based at Thorpe Farm Bunkhouse which is situated on a working dairy farm. We have a building with 2 bunk-bed rooms, 1 living space and a kitchen. Outside is space for several tents and there is a campfire area and barbeque.
· All catering and activities outside of the instructor led activities are run by our staff team.
· We hire the support of Pure Outdoor, an excellent and award-winning outdoor instructor provider who we have worked with for a number of years.
· The pupils enjoy activities such as rock-climbing, abseiling, caving and other associated activities led by Pure Outdoor.
· We also go swimming at the Hathersage Outdoor Swimming Pool and hire bikes for a ride along the Monsal Trail from Hassop Station Bike Hire.
· https://www.pureoutdoor.co.uk/
