Our children are taken on two residential trips during their time at Cherhill.

We value the educational and social experiences that children can gain from residential visits and consider them an integral part of the children’s education. Our programme of residential visits follows the National Curriculum requirements and also supports the social and personal development of our children.

Year 5 New Barn Centre in Dorset

The children go on their first residential visit towards the end of October. The Centre is set amidst the rolling chalk downlands of Dorset in an area of outstanding natural beauty and rich in the evidence of our ancient history. The accommodation we use is self-contained in the ‘Barn’ with 4 dorms that can sleep up to 10 in each. All food is prepared and eaten on site, with daily packed lunches provided for the children.

The trip is closely linked to our Geography and History topic allowing the children to practice orienteering skills which is part of the P.E curriculum. We often utilise the local area by arranging travel to Swanage on the steam train from Norden.

The children are immersed in a ‘Living History Day’ where they will spend time learning about a period in History: Neolithic, Iron Age, Romano-British, Viking or Saxon and using various houses and resources they have on site as a stimulus. They also take part in collaborative shelter building activities, a pottery workshop and a study of the local village. It is a fantastic experience for the children.

Year 6 Govilon Activity Centre at the edge of the Brecon Beacons

In their final year of Primary school, the children in year 6 visit the Govilon Activity Centre in Wales, towards the end of September. Govilon is set at the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The centre can accommodate 57 people in a combination of twin a dormitory style bedrooms. Washrooms and shower rooms are adjacent. The focal point of the centre is the dining room/common room and there is a large lounge and garden.

The food is well-balanced, nutritious and varied for each meal and the centre will cater for all dietary requirements and preferences.

The trip is closely linked to our Geography topic, where we study rivers and mountains, and it also allows the children to practice orienteering skills which is part of the P.E curriculum. We enjoy Hill Walking up to the top of Blorenge. Gorge Walking, Canoeing and a trip to the beach in The Gower. All activities are led by qualified, highly experienced instructors.

On our final day, we stop off at the Big Pit, which is a real coal mine transformed into a museum. This is always such an interesting trip, with 50 mins spent taking a tour down the mine and learning about what life was like for the coal miners.