An integral aspect of our Year 7 experience and curriculum is integrating all our new students, building trust, teamwork and strengthening relationships.  One of the key ways we do this is via a highly anticipated annual residential trip – an adventurous few days bonding and stepping out of comfort zones.

Our destination this year was the always popular YMCA Lakeside.  Year 7 arrived ready for their action-packed time filled with fun and problem-solving tasks including an excellent raft building session by the lake, honing archery skills and a lot of teamwork and mirth as everyone participated in multiple challenges. The standout activities were The Zip Wire and The Blue Tube challenge. 

It has been a joy to welcome students into Year 7 of our senior section. As the year of new beginnings has progressed,  Head of Year 7, Mrs Lindley, has been keen to ensure everyone feels right at home. Building a sense of community and fostering collaboration is crucial for the collective success of everyone here in school.

Here are some quotes from our Year 7 students:

• “I think the best part of the trip was connecting with others. I liked the bus trip and the instructors were all very kind. I LOVED rock climbing and abseiling and the food was lovely to chat over. All of this contributed to the year becoming closer and helping me make new friends! I’ll never forget YMCA”.
• “I think the best thing about the trip was being able to enjoy all the different activities with my friends and making new friends along the way. I also enjoyed the change of scenery from at school to outside in the fresh air all day with my friends”.
• “For me the best thing about our trip to Cumbria was the activities in general, because some, like climbing and abseiling, I had not done before, so it was interesting to learn and thrilling to take part in, and I think I might have found a new hobby! Also, most activities helped with team-building and friendships with members of my group who I might not have been around as often before, which I thought was really nice”.
• “I really liked the activities as it pushed me out of my comfort zone and especially the climbing, it made me think about taking up new sports/activities”.
• “The best thing about the trip for me is that I gained more confidence and made new friends”.

Mr J Harris 

Deputy Head: Pastoral