Y3 Longtown Residential 2025

Day One

Good journey to Longtown and an action packed day with climbing, gorge walking and a local walk around the castle and village. The children's behaviour has been excellent. Especially their resilience and determination when climbing. Lots of children pushed themselves further. And their team mates encouraged them. They have really shown their value and we are incredibly proud of them.

Gorge walking was enjoyed by all in the stream and some even braved standing under a small waterfall. Again good co operation and teamwork. Children took it in turns in their team as team leader and made sure none of their teammates were left behind. 

After a good meal we enjoyed a local walk to the castle and around the village to learn about the history of the castle and enjoy some of the scenery. Luckily, we missed the downpour!  On return we enjoyed some hot chocolate before lights out. 

Day Two

All slept well and enjoyed a hearty breakfast this morning, then made our lunches.  Lots of challenging activities again today including paddle boarding, a low ropes course and a zip wire before we return back to school. Great teamwork and bravery shown by all.

Year 5/6 Residential visit to Dale Fort February 2025

DAY 1

We enjoyed our lunch en route and all arrived safe and sound.  Great organisation and teamwork from all the children.  Explored the centre and the surrounding area.  We are overlooking the sea and the views are amazing.   Conducted some humane mammal trapping and will study the data later in the week.  Delicious dinner and great independence from the children as they took responsibility and settled into our rooms. 

DAY 2

All slept well and enjoyed a really lovely breakfast.  Spent some time looking out for sea life as seals, sea porpoises and dolphins are often spotted here.  Lots of  work today studying coastal erosion and the impact to the local area.  The wild and windy and wild weather has helped us to further understand this.  We visited the beach  for an environmental study and completed some map work. 

DAY 3

Up early after another good nights sleep.  Dressed quickly and without fuss, beds made, rooms tidy and organised for the day ahead.  Children showed great teamwork and values .  Breakfast was delicious with a really good choice for everyone.  Took a coastal walk along the clifftops and visited some neighbouring beaches.  Fabulous for beach combining, fossil hunting and making beach art.

DAY 4

Another great nights sleep - must be the sea air!  Our classroom overlooks the sea and is a perfect setting to really engage with our learning and understand the environment around us.  This morning we explored the rocky shore and looked at shoreline creatures.  We looked at how big the biggest land and sea mammals were and will conduct further research back in the centre's classroom.

Y5/6 Residential to Dale Fort February 2024

Great week at Dale Fort Study Centre.  Conducted some journey geography whilst travelling down and spotted changes in the terrain, building architecture and road signs as we ventured into Wales!  

Great organisation and teamwork and settled in really well.  Enjoyed a hearty lunch before ventured out and exploring the fabulous local surroundings.  Conducted some humane mammal trapping and will collate the data as part of a larger study.  Looked at the coastal erosion and how weather and climate change has contributed to this.  Visited lots of local beaches throughout the week and continued to work on beach combing, fossil hunting, mapping and then coastal studies at the classroom in the Study Centre.

We also visited a different location for some Seine fishing.  We used a very large and very special type of net to capture the fish and sea creatures without causing them any harm.  We then examined them a little more closely and evaluated their habitats.

We looked out for sea life as the setting is overlooking the sea and they regularly see dolphins, seals and porpoise.

Excellent behaviour throughout, the children made their beds everyday and left their rooms spotless.  They helped clear up the tables after eating and complemented staff on the delicious food.  They were polite, respectful, exemplified the school values and we received lovely comments from the Centre Staff.  

Y5 and Y6 residential visit to Margam Field Study Centre 2023

The children have been really busy on their residential visit to Margam Filed Study Centre.  They have taken part in a small star orienteering course requiring them to use map skills to find orienteering points. 

They have also explored the wild woodland and freshwater pond habitats learning how to identify both vertebrates and invertebrates whilst appreciating their ecological adaptations. The children discovered how energy moves through ecosystems and how a constant commitment to sustainability of the planet helps us all to become ethical citizens of Wales and the world.

They went on to investigate how a river changes as when moving from the source to the mouth, identifying features such as tributaries and meanders. Measuring the width, depth, and flow at three different sites along the Nant Philip River.

They will also learn how the Iron Age people would have lived, worked, and defended the local area against the Roman occupation. 

In the evenings, after eating a delicious dinner. they have gathered around the camp fire and enjoyed sharing the amazing adventures of the day.

Wednesday am update

Tuesday was packed full of exciting activities as we took part in the following:

Mountain biking, canoeing, conservation work, climbing, rock pooling, orienteering and coastal exploring.  All our groups had the same opportunities at different times throughout the day. 

Last night we went for a moonlit beach walk, sang songs and looked at the stars. We also had a fire and watched some 'stone age TV's'

Tuesday am update

Great start to the week.  Hoovers are out and a lot of children had to be woken. Good journey down and an afternoon spent on the beach.  All good and well.

Impressive things so far:

• conversations on the buses and the lack of technology brought. Children were noticing and discussing lots of things as we travelled.
• setting up rooms and teamwork (without being asked).
• 51 children in the dining room (only Madley is allowed this) and sitting with different people each meal time.