Head of Junior School’s Message

Mrs L Flynn

At this time in the school year, attention begins to turn to the planning of the residential trips for Years 3 to 6. Taking place across the summer term, our pupils experience a range of opportunities from camping to kayaking, river exploration to orienteering, archery to abseiling. Aside from copious amounts of fun, residential trips provide the pupils with vital experience in developing core life skills which support their growing levels of independence and agency as they move through the junior age range.

Away from their home environment, pupils are challenged to step outside of their comfort zone, often finding new levels of courage. This, in turn, develops greater confidence, resilience and self-belief. Simple tasks, such as children taking full responsibility for their belongings and packing their own bags allow pupils to experience new levels of independence. Pupils make lifelong memories and new friendships as they see their peers in a different context.

One of the greatest moments for teachers, on returning from residential trips, is seeing how these core skills translate into the classroom and the impact they have on positive learning behaviours across the curriculum; pupils take greater risks in their learning, they have greater levels of belief in their own abilities and are less afraid to make mistakes.

Tooled Up has some great resources which support the development of these core learning skills which will support your child as they prepare for their time away from home.