The Year 5 stay at the purpose built Kingswood Centre in Staffordshire was a tremendous success with a good mixture of learning and fun. The Staffordshire site more than met our expectations in terms activities, organization and Health and Safety standards. The instructors were excellent role models for our children and were very helpful in delivering clear instructions and accommodating the children’s individual needs. The pleasant country setting of the centre, with its river and environmental study area, made it a particularly good location for our trip!
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Work books, study materials and ICT facilities were provided for the river study which linked with the appropriate Key Stage 2 National Curriculum Geography topic. The evening activities included a circus skills workshop and a movie night. The highlight of the trip, however, was the disco. The six girls sat back and watched a number of the 21 boys clambering over each other to win a female 'dancing date'. Many offers were made, whilst many offers were refused! Disappointments were quickly forgotten over a late cup of hot chocolate before the weary children headed back to sleep for a final night together in the dorms.
Key Stage Three this year went to the South of France for their Residential Trip. The main event of the trip was a two day descent down the Ardeche. Facing rapids, a large amount of paddling and a night under the stars (it rained, so under canvas!) we all completed this with great pride. The rest of the week saw more activities such as river jumping, climbing, mission impossible, raft building and some canoeing. All the instructors mentioned that Fairley House pupils were the happiest and most fun to instruct. All the staff involved thank all the pupils for their behaviour and enthusiasm which was exemplary as always.
The opportunities for social interaction were immense. The children learnt to be both leaders and good team players in the wide range of activities presented. The children returned from the trip full of adventure stories and humorous anecdotes, many of which are captured on film and will, no doubt, become treasured memories in the future.