Children enjoy adventure at Hindleap Outdoor Learning Centre
Year 2 children at Pilgrims have been on an adventure to remember – our annual residential trip to Hindleap.
The outdoor learning centre in East Sussex gives children the chance to take part in a range of exciting activities – from obstacle courses and climbing walls to learning about bushcraft and survival skills – all set within 300 acres of beautiful woodland.
It’s one of the highlights of the school year, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Here, Tracey Marquand, Head of Year 2, talks about the children’s thrilling adventure.
An adventure
Our annual three-day trip to Hindleap is something the children really look forward to – a chance to try something new and expand their horizons.
It’s a space where children can step beyond their comfort zones and explore new challenges in a safe, structured environment with adult supervision.
This year’s trip has been another grand adventure, bringing joy and huge smiles to the children’s faces.
Being individuals
Importantly, the trip to Hindleap gives the children the chance to express themselves as individuals and develop their self-management skills.
For example, when they’re in their rooms, they’re expected to look after their belongings (with varying degrees of success!) and are encouraged to take responsibility for dressing appropriately for their activities.
At mealtimes, they are given a greater choice of food than at school and can choose what they’d like to eat from a range of healthy options, giving them the chance to take control and make their own decisions.
This all helps as they prepare to move on to new schools in Year 3, building their confidence and self-belief.
Preparation
At Pilgrims, we understand that going away on a trip can be a daunting experience for some children, so we do lots of preparation beforehand.
Although most children look forward to the trip, some feel a little nervous before they go or worry they may become homesick, so we make sure we give them the time and space to talk about any concerns they may have.
On the Friday before we leave, they bring their cases to school so they can go through them, making sure they have everything they need for their days away from home.
While they are at the outdoor learning centre, they are also looked after by Hindleap’s hugely experienced and highly qualified team of instructors.
As accompanying teachers, we reassure the children that if they have any worries or are troubled by anything during the trip, we are always there to help and that they can talk to us about anything that makes them feel anxious.
A lasting legacy
The trip to Hindleap isn’t just about having fun and going on an adventure; it’s also about the lasting impact afterwards – many of the schools children move on to after Pilgrims say that pupils still talk about it years later.
In fact, one of our colleagues has a son who is now 15 years old, and she says he still talks about his trip to Hindleap.
It’s something the children will remember fondly for years to come – a real adventure that builds confidence, encourages self-management, and teaches a range of new skills.
The shared spirit of adventure and growth is what makes Pilgrims so special.
If you’d like your child to enjoy experiences that build confidence, independence and lasting memories, we’d love to hear from you. Please email admissions@pilgrims-school.