RESIDENTIALS - LOW COST MODELS BECOMING INDEPENDENT Crabtree Farm Primary School, Bulwell, Nottingham

INTRODUCTION At Crabtree Farm Primary School, in Bulwell, Nottingham, we have recently swapped our school residential from using a YHA with fully qualified staff and a range of activities to a more low-key camping residential but completely planned by us.

WHERE WE BEGAN School used a YHA as a base for residential in Year 5/6 All catering was provided All activities were organised and run by fully qualified staff Staff would supervise the activities (although we always joined in!)

ADVANTAGES OF YHA Large range of activities provided Main responsibility of activities with guides Equipment for activities provided Identification of sites organised Food provided

DISADVANTAGES OF YHA Very expensive – heavily subsidised by school The programme felt overly ‘full’ No ‘free time’ for children to socialise Groups often didn’t see each other during the day No real ‘ownership’ of activities for school

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACADEMY CAMP Use of Bulwell Academy as a site for a low- cost model for residentials Creating a programme of activities that could be delivered by staff from feeder schools rather than externally trained staff Training staff to confidently run activities Pairing up schools to share knowledge and experience

DEVELOPING OUR INDEPENDENCE Moved away from the YHA model Sourced a site – we use Beaumanor Hall, in Leicestershire Aimed for camping as it mirrored the Academy Camp and the EAZ had purchased sleeping bags, etc that we could borrow Self-catered Planned our own activities – a combination of using trained guides and our own staff

THE PROGRAMME BEAUMANOR RESIDENTIAL Programme of events 17 th – 20 th June 2013 a.m.p.m.Eve Monday 17 th June Leave school at 10am. Unpack and familiarise with layout of area. Ground rules – together Tent naming. Create shield for tent and badges for members. Discuss journeying sticks Free play 6.30 – 8.00 Evening walk to Beacon Hill Country Park Tuesday 18 th June 9.30 – Canoeing (14 + staff) High ropes (24 + staff) 1.30 – 4.00 Bridge building (38 + staff) Organised games inc:  Parachute  Rounders  Football  Cricket Wednesday 19 th June 9.30 – Canoeing (24 + staff) High ropes (14 + staff) Organised games inc:  Scavenger Hunt  Den building Barbeque Camp fires with Kelly kettles Quiz Thursday 20 th June 9.30 – Pack camp away 1.30 Return to school

THE MENU BEAUMANOR RESIDENTIAL Menu 17 th – 20 th June 2013 BreakfastLunchDinner Monday 17 th June Sandwiches Crisps Fruit Small cake/biscuit bar Pasta Bolognese Angel Delight Tuesday 18 th June Cereal Toast Bacon butty Sandwiches Crisps Fruit Small cake/biscuit bar Chicken stew Camp donuts Wednesday 19 th June Cereal Toast Beans on toast Sandwiches Crisps Fruit Small cake/biscuit bar Barbeque Ice creams Thursday 20 th June Cereal Toast Egg, bacon and beans Sandwiches Crisps Fruit Small cake/biscuit bar

ADVANTAGES Much cheaper! Much more ‘relaxed’ feel – if we plan an activity in the day, we free-up the evening Self-catering – children involved in preparation, cooking and washing up (they loved it!) A combination of school-led and qualified staff led activities (we did our own campfire and den building) Children were able to ‘chill out’ during each day at some point and actually choose their own activities

DISADVANTAGES The weather has been extremely kind to us so far … but …

AND FINALLY …. The Paul Hamlyn Foundation enabled our Bulwell EAZ to create our Academy Camp, which in turn increased our confidence enough for us to now run our own residential that allows our children to be … well … kids! For further information, please contact