We believe that the children in our school should have the opportunity to discover new environments, gain confidence and develop life skills through residential experiences. Our involvement in the Learning Away Programme, funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, has given us the opportunity to explore ways of providing low cost residentials for all of our pupils. Parents are instrumental in supporting us to provide these experiences.
In Reception
Children come back to school early evening and ‘camp’ for a few hours. We cover the same aspects of the curriculum as Nursery, but at a higher level and also include reading. Children enjoy activities and sharing books in the tents with their classmates and staff. They have hotdogs, sing songs around the campfire and then parents join them for the last half hour of the event.
In Year 1
Year 1 visited Bamburgh where they found out more about the life of Grace Darling. They visited the Grace Darling Museum, the beach, church and graveyard. The children had a fantastic time staying overnight at the Sunningdale Hotel with their friends and teachers. The following day they visited Bamburgh Castle and had a picnic in the park. Year 1 learnt lots about Grace Darling and did a lot of writing and topic work around her life.
Quotes from children
‘I knew what to write about because I had been to the museum and I was on the same beach as Grace Darling had been.’
‘It is special when you have a giant sleepover with your friends,’
In Year 2
Year 2 visited Alnwick Castle and stayed overnight in the Sunningdale Hotel in Bamburgh with Year 1 . Children stormed the barbican, made soap, made a clay tile, did broomstick training, rolled down the hills, looked around the castle and visited the state rooms. The following day they visited Bamburgh Castle and looked at the similarities and differences between the two castles. Back at school the children did lots of writing and history based on the visit.
Quotes from children;
‘I was a bit worried about leaving my mam, but I am having a great time with my friends.’
‘I think it would be horrible to live in a castle because it is cold and dark.’
In Year 3
This year, year 3 are visiting Robinwood in Alston Cumbria for the first time. The children will have a chance to experience climbing, canoeing, swinging on the giant swing, splashing in the piranha pool and many other activities. They will get a chance to take part in teambuilding activities and problem solving.
In Year 4
Year 4 visited Dukeshouse Wood near Hexham. This is a similar experience to Robinwood but they get the chance to mix with children from other schools within Tudhoe Learning Trust. It is a fun filled, exhausting time and they get the chance to take part in climbing, crate stacking, obstacle course and many other activities. Children also take part in many teambuilding activities and problem solving.
‘ I was a little bit worried about some of the activities, but I had a go at everything, it was amazing.’
In Year 5
Year 5 visited Eden Camp to explore how life was during WW2. There were different huts which contained artefacts from both WW1 and WW2 and gave children an insight into the way people lived, the vehicles used and the war effort, during this historical period. Children then went to stay in the Youth Hostel in Helmsley overnight, where they unpacked and made their own beds before having their evening meal. The following day the children visited Helmsley castle and had lunch at the Youth Hostel. Back at school children completed writing and research tasks based around the experience.
In Year 6
Year 6 visited London for 3 days. On arrival children went to the Rainforest Café for their evening meal before going to the hotel. Once settled in the hotel children visited the local park and watched the planes take off from Heathrow airport. The following day saw a visit to the Science Museum followed by a walk from the Houses of Parliament to Trafalgar Square via St James’ Park, Buckingham Palace, The Mall and Horse guards Parade. On the evening children went to see Wicked at The Apollo Victoria Theatre. This was the first time that most children had experienced a West End show. After a tiring day it was back to the hotel for a well deserved rest. The following day the children visited the Natural History Museum, where the dinosaurs were the highlight. Following this was a different shopping experience visiting Camden Stables before returning home. Back at school when writing about the experiences it was evident to the amount of knowledge children had gained.
‘ Wow, it is unbelievable the size of the dinosaurs in the museum.’
‘ London is amazing, I am so pleased I have seen Buckingham Palace.’
‘Wicked was just wicked!’
Please select from the link below to view information for our residential visits.
Personal Information Form for South Hetton Primary School
Alston Suggested Clothing List
EV4 Robinwood 2017 Trip
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