TUESDAY 5 TO FRIDAY 8 MAY 2026
Introduction
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are thrilled to offer Year 5 pupils an exciting opportunity to participate in a four-day residential trip to Skern Lodge in Devon. This enriching experience, taking place from Tuesday 5 to Friday 8 May 2026, will focus on geographical fieldwork and outdoor adventure.
This booklet provides key information for both parents and children. While we will go over the main points with the pupils at school, we strongly encourage you to review the details together with your child, particularly those related to safety, behaviour expectations and packing guidelines.
To ensure everything runs smoothly, please update all relevant medical and contact details on Evolve and the Habs App by Friday 3 April.
The programme at Skern Lodge has been carefully designed to combine hands-on geographical fieldwork with exciting adventure activities. Our aim is to support your child’s academic learning while fostering personal growth, social skills and resilience. We hope they return with cherished memories and a sense of accomplishment.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to sharing this wonderful experience with your child.
Mrs. Joanna Millman Trip Leader
“One lesson outdoors is worth seven inside.”
(Sir Timothy Brighouse, formerly Professor of Education, Keele University)
Location
Established in 1976, Skern Lodge is an independent, privately owned organisation that has acquired a well-respected reputation as an outdoor activity and field study centre.
It is positioned on the beautiful North Devon coast, on the outskirts of the small, picturesque fishing town of Appledore, in an area of outstanding natural beauty and within the internationally recognised UNESCO Biosphere of Braunton Burrows. With rugged coastlines, fantastic beaches and tidal rivers on the doorstep, Skern Lodge is an ideal location for the children’s fieldwork and adventure experience.
All the dormitories are completed with comfortable bunk beds and centrally heated with plenty of shower facilities nearby. Drying rooms are provided for each accommodation area.
The Centre has plenty of meeting rooms, classrooms and social areas. There is a heated outdoor swimming pool along with plenty of space to relax or run around within.
Skern Lodge takes great pride in providing a variety of hot and cold choices made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. This includes cooked breakfasts, substantial packed lunches and a choice from four main meals in the evening. Any dietary requirements can be catered for and there are plenty of healthy options.
If you would like to read more about the facilities available at Skern Lodge, please click here.
Environmental Studies
The principal aim behind our trip is to provide the children with the opportunity to explore the natural world directly. The focus will be on coasts, with opportunities for river and urban fieldwork.
In addition to developing their powers of observation, analysis, decision making and problem solving, adventurous opportunities will serve as an ‘anchor point’ to consolidate academic learning. The children will work and communicate in teams.
They will be encouraged to think about the impact their investigations may have on the environment and the responsibility they have to minimise any detrimental impact.
Daytime activities – a few of our plans include….
Appledore
As an ideal introduction to their new surroundings, the children will visit Appledore, a local, historic fishing village.
Braunton Burrows
At Braunton Burrows, the children will investigate the ecosystem of the dunes and look at the plants there. We will also have time on the beach.
River Rafting
The children will learn how to paddle in a raft on the River Torridge. They will capture primary data for the river, including flow speed velocity and channel measurements all from their own raft!
Evening activities
Orienteering Scavenger Hunt
After training in map skills, the children will work in small teams in order to explore Skern Lodge and track down certain strange and rare items hidden in the grounds.
Swimming
A refreshing swim in the heated outdoor pool.
Appledore Mystery Trail
An exciting and interactive adventure where children work together to solve a thrilling fictional crime, fostering teamwork, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Travel arrangements
Departure - Tuesday 5 May 2026
We will depart promptly at 7.15am from the Girls’ School bus stop, so we kindly ask you to arrive no later than 7.00am to allow for a smooth departure. The coach journey to Skern Lodge will take approximately five hours. To keep your child energised, please provide them with a nut-free mid-morning snack (brunch). We plan to stop at a motorway service station during the journey to enjoy the mid-morning snack, while lunch will be eaten upon our arrival at Skern.
Return - Friday 8 May 2026
We aim to arrive back at school on Friday at approximately 5pm. Please be prompt in picking up your child from in front of the Senior School, as we will have had an exhausting few days of fun. If there is an emergency or we are significantly delayed, we will contact you via the Habs App.
Kit list
Fleece
CLOTHING
Waterproof jacket with a hood. Thin enough to be stuffed into a rucksack, rather than a bulky winter coat
Waterproof trousers (to wear over normal trousers)
Trainers – guaranteed dry footwear to wear at the base
Trousers x3 - such as leggings and tracksuit bottoms, not jeans.
Shorts – 1 or 2 pairs
Long sleeved tops x3
T-shirts x4
Pyjamas
Swimming costume and swimming hat
Thick and thin socks
Plenty of underwear
Warm hat and gloves (if forecast is chilly)
Sun hat
Surf shoes – neoprene shoes/boots for river rafting. Or old trainers which will get wet.
Flip-flops or sliders
For many activity sessions closed-toed shoes, long sleeved t-shirts and trousers are required (these are required for nearly all sessions, so bring plenty). Skern recommend wearing old clothes for activity sessions
EXTRA ITEMS
A decent snack and a packed lunch including drinks for the outward journey (disposable and recyclable packaging please - no fizzy drinks or nuts) and a full, refillable water bottle
Rucksack
Two carrier bags (no holes please!)
Small bottle of high factor sun cream and aftersun lotion
Hairbrush
Two towels (one for showering; one for swimming/rafting)
Toiletries
Hair ties
An activity for the coach/downtime (e.g. a book, Top Trumps etc.)
Pocket money – up to £15 in coins in a named purse or envelope
Large plastic bag for dirty clothes.
Optional items
A small favourite cuddly toy
A cheap watch
Sunglasses
Notebook
Torch
Please ensure everything is named. Activities take place whatever the weather. There is a drying room available for us if needed.
Girls are required to wear long-sleeved tops and long trousers for most activities. Additionally, long hair must be securely tied back at all times.
If your daughter uses deodorant, please ensure she brings a roll-on deodorant, as aerosol sprays can trigger the fire alarms.
On the day we set off, please meet at 7am at the bus stop in the main car park. Children should have had breakfast and should be wearing comfy clothes from the list above. They need their rucksack with them on the coach, containing their snack, lunch and drinks, waterproof jacket (if not wearing it), waterproof trousers and an activity for the coach journey.
Everything else should be packed in a case or holdall that the children can manage independently. This will be put in the boot of the coach.
Please do not bring electronic devices, jewellery, or any extra food. The food provided is plentiful and additional food is not required.
Safety and insurance
Safety
Skern Lodge supports all initiatives that improve safety standards in outdoor activities. It is fully licensed to operate under the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA), and its safety policy ensures the highest standards of care. All adventure equipment is provided, is modern, meets BSI and EN standards where appropriate, and is regularly maintained.
Instructors are first aid trained and carry first aid kits at all times. They are equipped with lifesaving equipment as a basic requirement. Activities are supervised by instructors with the approved qualifications for each specific activity. All staff, regardless of qualifications, are regularly trained, reviewed and appraised. The maximum ratio for adventure activities is one qualified instructor to eight participants, including pupils and accompanying staff.
Most instructors live on-site and a Duty Instructor is available outside of normal hours. Floodlights remain on throughout the night and gates are locked for added security. All buildings and bedrooms are fitted with locks and windows have restrictors for safety.
Skern Lodge is equipped with a modern automatic fire detection system and regularly holds fire practices and drills. On-site first aid posts are available and a local doctor is always on call.
All drivers are over 21 and hold the appropriate driving licenses for minibuses. Driving standards are strictly enforced. Vehicles are modern minibuses that are inspected daily and regularly maintained. All minibuses are equipped with forward-facing seats and seat belts for every passenger.
Insurance
The school provides its own comprehensive insurance for all educational visits.
Behaviour
The trip should be an enjoyable experience for children and staff, and we expect a high standard of behaviour at all times – in particular at meal times, in the evening and at bedtime. We expect pupils to be courteous towards staff and instructors at the centre, as well as other children and visitors.
Visiting dormitories in other residential blocks is strictly forbidden. This is also the case for the swimming pool, assault course, high ropes and climbing area unless accompanied by a member of Skern staff.
Please do see this Tooled Up link to support your child if they are feeling worried about our trip Supporting Your Child if They Feel Worried about Their School Residential Trip | Tooled Up Education
Rooms should be kept clean and tidy to avoid confusion and lost clothing, there will be room inspections. Pupils should also take great care with all the centre’s facilities. The cost of breakages/damages will be passed on to those concerned.
Medical and dietary requirements
Prior to our arrival at the centre, the staff at Skern Lodge will be informed of any medical and special dietary requirements, based on the information you provide on your Evolve consent form. First aid kits will be carried at all times. Skern Lodge also has emergency contact details of local doctors, dentists and hospitals if the need arises.
Pupils must always carry their own inhalers/EpiPens with them and bring a spare to be looked after by the staff member responsible for their group. Please note that if your child forgets their spare inhaler/EpiPen, they will not be allowed to attend the residential.
If your child needs any other medication (whether this be prescription or non-prescription), creams, vitamins, cough sweets or similar during the trip, please ensure it is clearly named and placed in a bag with dispensing instructions. It should then be handed to Mrs Kilbane on the morning of our departure.
Contact
In case of an emergency, you can reach us by contacting Mrs. Millman through the Habs App or by email.
While we are in transit, please use the school phone number: 0208 266 2400.
We will message you on the App to notify you of our safe arrival at Skern Lodge.
Please do check the app, where we will upload photos of our daily adventures. Please do not worry if we do not post until the evening. This is usually because the days are very busy!
