Via Ferrata on the 2 rope tree, I overcame it by listening to my partner who was looking out for Child D is a LAC. She is currently living with a Foster Mother and Daughter. This is intended to be a long “How to get muddy.” What was your greatest challenge and how did you overcome it? What will the greatest challenge for you?
Residential visit incorporating outdoor and adventurous activities that cannot be replicated in
school.
How does the activity demonstrate excellence?
Children can develop confidence and teamwork through physical learning in a new situation.
The confidence this gives them transfers to other areas of learning. The activities are new to
children, they encourage them to embrace the new, aim high and take risks, this is often more
difficult for disadvantaged pupils and essential for them to compete in high school, college and
for university and work places with more advantaged peers. By attending the residential she will
be fully included in pre-learning, the visit itself and post learning. Geography and literacy in the
first half term are centered around the visit. Without attendance children's learning in the first
three weeks of their new school year will be meaningless, they will miss out vital experiences
during the visit and post learning will be difficult to achieve and impossible to achieve well in.
How will this raise the aspirations of the pupil?
Child M comes from a very low income home with her hardworking mother on long hours at
minimum wage. Child M's mum can't read and so we already provide additional support and
tuition in school for her. In addition we pay for her music lessons and examinations. Although
not in receipt of free school meals Child M does not present in school as more affluent than
FSM pupils. She can lack confidence in her basic skills due to mum not being able to support
her with home learning as much as other pupils. Low income children can feel isolated in a
school where most peers enjoy a far more affluent lifestyle. In addition Child M joined our
school later, in year 2, which isn't easy for any child and particularly not for one with some
economic disadvantage and less social capital.
What will the greatest challenge for you?
Child M can lack confidence socially and sleeping over with peers will be something new for her.
Also some of the physical activity will be a challenge as she's smaller than peers and also less
confident physically – due to the structure of activities she'll find within herself abilities she didn't
know she had and hopefully return to school more confident in PE and more willing to
participate in physical activity.
What will be different for you as a result of this activity?
Child M struggles in academic learning, often though lack of confidence and comparative
experience with her peers. The Conway trip will give the comparative experience and put her a
little more on a level playing field with her peer group. I think, from over 20 years experience of
leading these trips, she will find new confidence in her own ability and earn the respect and
admiration of her classmates too. Also she will be able to participate fully in the first half term's
learning in school.
What did you learn during your visit?
Learned to work the clips in the sailing boat and working with a partner on the other side of the
boat to change the sails. I learned how to paddle a canoe and how top use a carabiner on the
Via Ferrata.
What was your greatest challenge and how did you overcome it?
foot spaces. I needed help because my legs and arms were a bit short. All my friends shouted
support “You can do it.” Reuben was behind me and he helped me too, he didn’t rush me and
said I could do it. He said he wouldn’t step to make it wobble until I had finished.
How have you changed?
I’m not scared of heights any more. Or jellyfish. I am safe when I go canoeing.
Overnight whole class residential visit.
term Foster.
How does the activity demonstrate excellence?
All activities will have a focus on Team work and Team building. Through completing the
challenges involved and being part of a team, Child D will improve her trust in other people.
The freedom of outdoor learning will remove barriers that Child D can sometimes put up. She
will be able to forget her complex problems and focus on the sense of shared achievement in a
new environment.
Working with others on the outdoor tasks, away from the classroom, will develop Child D’s
relationships and improve her social and emotional interactions with adults and peers.
Sleeping away from her foster home will give Child D the opportunity to be just the same as her
peers.
How will this raise the aspirations of the pupil?
It will give Child D confidence and excited anticipation for the future residential programmes at
School, an area she has already expressed apprehension about.
It will give Child D self-confidence and appropriate independence.
It will enable Child D to transfer her success, following team building challenges, within new
relationships into the classroom and wider school community.
It will give Child D a sense of pleasure and enjoyment found from the outdoors.
What will the greatest challenge for you?
“Missing dog and hamster.”
“Sleeping without my teddy” (agreed she could bring her teddy)
“Getting muddy and dirty.”
“Being in different teams.”
What do you expect to learn from this activity?
“How to be safe.”
“How to have fun outside.”
What will be different for you as a result of this activity?
“Know how to be safe.”
“To not miss the dog, even if I go on holiday without him.”
“It will feel different not being in my own bed.”
“I will feel more adventurous.”
“I will feel less scared.”
What did you learn during your visit?
“Loads! I had to make dens. I had to work in a team/group to make it work. It helped me to be a
better team member by concentrating and helping others. I got muddy, even hiding under piles
of leaves down a ditch! It was fun because we scared other children. I learnt how to cross roads
safely, how to be safe with a campfire and how to cook marshmallows, they were really gooey
but they were nice. I had lots of fun outside in the forest, it was dark and creepy, but I was with
my friends and I liked the way I nearly fell down a hole!”
“Sleeping in a new bed because it wasn’t like the one at home. My friends helped me overcome
it by snoring!”
“Missing my dog, I looked forward to seeing her when I got back.”
“I was actually excited to be muddy and dirty!”
How have you changed?
“I know how to be safe in the forest and around, especially crossing roads where you can’t see
properly”
“To not miss the dog, even if I go on holiday without her.”
“I feel more adventurous.”
“I will feel less scared next time I go away.”
“I am more confident.”
Sailing, mountain climbing, caving – activities are planned to enhance team work and help with
transition to High School.
How does the activity demonstrate excellence?
Speaking and listening are effectively demonstrated to enhance communication skills.
How will this raise the aspirations of the pupil?
Succeeding outside the classroom will show help Holly understand she can achieve in other
areas of her life.
Having a go at new things, especially if I am not sure if I will be able to do them.
What do you expect to learn from this activity?
I want to learn to have a go at new things and have the courage to express my views and opinions to
others.
What will be different for you as a result of this activity?
I will be more confident.
What did you learn during your visit?
That I was alright being away with my friends. I had been scared before I went.
What was your greatest challenge and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was rafting as I did’t feel very happy being on the water, but it was
brilliant.
How have you changed?
I think I am more confident.
Examples of Applications
Example 1
Describe Your Planned Activity
Example 2
Describe Your Planned Activity
Example 3
Describe Your Planned Activity