developing a school-led learning away camping residential
TRANSCRIPT
RESIDENTIALS - LOW COST MODELS
BECOMING INDEPENDENT
Crabtree Farm Primary School, Bulwell, Nottingham
INTRODUCTION
At Crabtree Farm Primary School, in Bulwell, Nottingham, we have recently swapped our school residential from using a YHA with fully qualified staff and a range of activities to a more low-key camping residential but completely planned by us.
WHERE WE BEGAN
School used a YHA as a base for residential in Year 5/6
All catering was provided All activities were organised and run by fully
qualified staff Staff would supervise the activities (although
we always joined in!)
ADVANTAGES OF YHA
Large range of activities provided Main responsibility of activities with guides Equipment for activities provided Identification of sites organised Food provided
DISADVANTAGES OF YHA
Very expensive – heavily subsidised by school
The programme felt overly ‘full’ No ‘free time’ for children to socialise Groups often didn’t see each other during the
day No real ‘ownership’ of activities for school
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACADEMY CAMP
Use of Bulwell Academy as a site for a low-cost model for residentials
Creating a programme of activities that could be delivered by staff from feeder schools rather than externally trained staff
Training staff to confidently run activities Pairing up schools to share knowledge and
experience
DEVELOPING OUR INDEPENDENCE
Moved away from the YHA model Sourced a site – we use Beaumanor Hall, in
Leicestershire Aimed for camping as it mirrored the Academy Camp
and the EAZ had purchased sleeping bags, etc that we could borrow
Self-catered Planned our own activities – a combination of using
trained guides and our own staff
THE PROGRAMME
BEAUMANOR RESIDENTIAL Programme of events17th – 20th June 2013
a.m. p.m. Eve
Monday17th
June
Leave school at 10am.
Unpack and familiarise with layout
of area.Ground rules –
together
Tent naming.Create shield for tent
and badges for members.
Discuss journeying sticks
Free play
6.30 – 8.00Evening walk to
Beacon Hill Country Park
Tuesday18th
June
9.30 – 12.00Canoeing (14 + staff)
High ropes (24 + staff)
1.30 – 4.00Bridge building(38 + staff)
Organised games inc:ParachuteRoundersFootballCricket
Wednesday
19th
June
9.30 – 12.00Canoeing (24 + staff)
High ropes (14 + staff)
Organised games inc:Scavenger HuntDen building
BarbequeCamp fires with Kelly
kettlesQuiz
Thursday20th June
9.30 – 12.30Pack camp away
1.30Return to school
THE MENU
BEAUMANOR RESIDENTIAL Menu17th – 20th June 2013
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Monday17th
June
SandwichesCrispsFruit
Small cake/biscuit bar
Pasta BologneseAngel Delight
Tuesday18th
June
CerealToast
Bacon butty
SandwichesCrispsFruit
Small cake/biscuit bar
Chicken stew Camp donuts
Wednesday19th
June
CerealToast
Beans on toast
SandwichesCrispsFruit
Small cake/biscuit bar
BarbequeIce creams
Thursday20th June
CerealToast
Egg, bacon and beans
SandwichesCrispsFruit
Small cake/biscuit bar
ADVANTAGES
Much cheaper! Much more ‘relaxed’ feel – if we plan an activity in
the day, we free-up the evening Self-catering – children involved in preparation,
cooking and washing up (they loved it!) A combination of school-led and qualified staff led
activities (we did our own campfire and den building) Children were able to ‘chill out’ during each day at
some point and actually choose their own activities
DISADVANTAGES
The weather has been extremely kind to us so far … but …
AND FINALLY ….
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation enabled our Bulwell EAZ to create our Academy Camp, which in turn increased our confidence enough for us to now run our own residential that allows our children to be … well … kids!
For further information, please contact [email protected]