Residential trips play a vital role in fostering strong friendships and character development among our Junior students. It is an important component of our curriculum, aimed at integrating new students, fostering trust, promoting teamwork, and strengthening relationships.

Our Year 5 students embarked upon their trip to Condover Hall in Shropshire last week, excited to get outdoors and enjoy the sunny weather whilst surrounded by friends. Highlights of the trip included raft building, problem-solving tasks, a thrilling zip-wire and tunnelling! These activities prompted our students to be brave, overcome obstacles and be resilient – all characteristics which we prioritise and promote during their time at Wakefield Girls’.

Here are some write-ups from our Year 5 students about their recent residential to Condover Hall:

“Last week, Year 5 were lucky to go on a three-day residential to Condover Hall, an activity centre near Shrewsbury in Shropshire. We all had a great time trying new things but my favourite activity was the zip wire. This was located in the woods so there were lots of trees surrounding us. To start the zip wire you had to climb up some steps to a platform. Just before you set off, you were given a harness to put on and were clipped on to lots of ropes to make sure you stayed safe.

The first time I did the zip wire I was nervous because I didn’t know what it was going to be like. But it turned out to be lots of fun! It was scary at first but you got used to it and you went so fast it was like you were a bird flying through the sky! At the end of the wire you came to a stop and bounced really high. We were able to do it a few times and then we started making funny animal noises and singing songs. After I finished, I felt really proud of myself because, at first, it looked terrifying but it turned out to be really exciting.

I really enjoyed the residential because we were able to do many different activities we’d never tried before and we never stopped having fun. We all loved it!” – Olivia, 5SM 

“I thoroughly enjoyed the stay at Condover Hall but if I had to pick my favourite part of the trip, I’d choose tunnelling. Tunnelling is where you put helmets on and explore a cave together. Unexpectedly, my friend’s light on her helmet stopped working because it ran out of battery. So, she took a wrong turn which meant we were separated and lost in the dark, gloomy cave. Luckily, we kept moving, found each other again and then found our way out. We saw paintings – from the caveman – and saw stalagmites and stalactites. We had a great time at Condover Hall; I can’t wait for next year’s residential.”- Layla, 5AB

Mr A Bray and Miss S Morris 

Year 5 teachers