Trips and visits

ENRICHMENT WEEK | ALL YEARS

After a year hampered by restrictions, it was a real pleasure to offer Senior School pupils in all year groups an opportunity to learn new skills, face fears, and make new friends during a varied and action-packed enrichment week programme in the summer term. Year 7 took part in team building activities, science and technology challenges, circus skill workshops as well as an art trip to Kew Gardens. Water sports days were as popular as ever for Years 8 -10 with Year 9 and 10 also participating in Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award training respectively alongside a range of curriculum-based trips and activities. Year 8 enjoyed a Shakespeare workshop as well as a fantastic visit to Denbies Vineyard followed by a steep climb up Box Hill! Trips and experiences for Year 11 and our sixth form included paintballing and a visit to Thorpe Park.

VISIT TO THE RIVER TILLINGBOURNE | YEAR 10

As part of their GCSE fieldwork, Year 10 geographers ventured out to the river Tillingbourne in the summer term. They visited four separate sites along this picturesque river in the Surrey Hills. They collected data including the width, depth and velocity and worked well together to develop their theoretical understanding of rivers. They also discovered first-hand if the outside of a meander is deeper than the tops of their Wellington boots! All the staff and students had a fantastic day learning outside of the classroom.

DofE OVERVIEW | YEAR 9 - 11

It has been very pleasing indeed to see the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award go from strength to strength this academic year, especially considering the challenging circumstances presented. Highlights include record numbers of 34 Year 10 pupils undertaking their silver practice expedition and 92 Year 9 pupils completing their bronze award. Year 11 and 12 pupils were also able to complete their much delayed silver qualifying expedition. All events took place in the Surrey Hills where we enjoyed some lovely sunny weather with beautiful views from Box Hill.

The award also includes a requirement for pupils to independently complete three activities within the categories of physical, skill and volunteering. Pupils participated in a range of activities, from gardening and baking to sports coaching and dog walking. The commitment and determination shown by our pupils has been highly impressive this year and they should be commended for their maturity and resilience throughout.

KEW GARDENS | YEAR 10

Twenty Year 10 GCSE art students travelled to Kew Gardens in September to conduct some direct observational studies from a wide range of exotic plants and stunning landscapes. They also used this opportunity to photograph varied structures in response to their coursework theme of ‘patterns in nature’. The glass houses provided some excellent drawing opportunities but much of the day was spent outdoors collecting first hand sources for art outcomes to be studied in the classroom.