3. Why study
residentials?

4. Why study residentials?
The Intuitive Case
We all “know” that residentials are good for Children
Most people in the UK have personal experience of a residentials. Many people remember “magic moments” that happened on a residential
There is a long tradition of residentials in the UK, this is a “stable” part of the education system

5. Why study residentials?
BUT
Residentials take time and cost money – Teachers need to show the benefit
People are becoming more risk averse. Adults can be afraid to let children take part in adventure
Some schools perceive that time out of the classroom is wasted time – and that it is more important for pupils to be at their desks.

6. What is
Learning Away?

7. What is “Learning Away”?
Action research project from 2009 to 2015
60 schools in 13 partnerships
Focused on Outdoor Learning which specifically includes an overnight stay – a residential.
Develop innovative models of completing residential experiences
Evaluate the effect of residential experiences on schools and learning.
Produce recommendations for schools and teachers of how to run “Brilliant Residentials”

8. Big questions What is unique about learning in a residential context?
What are the long term benefits of a residential? And can we prove it?
Are all residentials the same? What can we do to get the best residentials possible?

9. What’s unique about residentials?

10. The overnight stay and an intensity of experience
What’s unique about residentials?
Opportunities to work intensively and be immersed in learning
A new environment and routines and fewer distractions
The overnight stay and an intensity of experience
Unstructured time
A collaborative community environment

11. What’s unique about residentials?
Opportunities to break down existing barriers, hierarchies and power relationships
Opportunities to develop and practice key social skills
A new context for relationships
Students and teachers work more collaboratively in unfamiliar surroundings on unfamiliar tasks
Residentials are a leveler for students and staff - The teacher is not automatically the expert

12. What’s unique about residentials?
A wide range of practical and physical challenges
Different and varied opportunities to experience success
Opportunities to overcome fears
Immediate opportunities to revisit and build on learning experiences

13. What are the benefits of a residential?

14. 79% What are the benefits of a residential?
Improve students’ engagement with learning
of secondary students indicated that the residential had made them realise that what they learn at school is important to them
79%
“Before going on the trip I hated school, but now I just love it. I love to learn about maths, literacy and science.”
(Primary Student Focus Group)

15. 82% What are the benefits of a residential?
Improve students’ knowledge, skills and understanding
82%
of KS2 pupils said their teachers and lessons on the residential helped them to learn.
“It showed me how to study, what’s effective. Now I know what’s best for me.”
(Secondary Student Focus Group)

16. 84% What are the benefits of a residential?
Foster deeper relationships
of secondary students said that because of the residential, they get on better with the other pupils in the class.
84%
“In school you see teachers as scary and strict but on the residential trip they’re so much nicer. You see them as normal human beings.”
(Secondary Student Focus Group)

17. 78% What are the benefits of a residential?
Improve students’ resilience, self confidence and well-being
78%
of KS2 pupils felt more confident to try new things they would not have done before the residential
“Their confidence has increased. They hold themselves in higher esteem. We’re very good in schools at judging on levels and recording achievement based on targets. Camp showed them that we’re able to value them in different ways.”
(Staff Focus Group)

18. …and much more… Enhanced relationships
Students and staff trust each other
Students feel more able to ask staff for help
Students feel more comfortable with each other
Students are more able to empathise
The sense of community is sustained
Increased motivation and engagement
Improved behaviour and attendance
Increased participation in lessons
More enjoyment of learning
Enhanced confidence, resilience and wellbeing
Increased ability to overcome challenges and try new activities
Deeper and better understanding of specific subjects/topics
Developing vocabulary
Improving creativity
Meaningful opportunities to develop and practise leadership skills
Increased ability to apply learning and skills in new contexts Improved engagement
More successful transition experiences (at all key stages)
Raised aspirations

19. Are all residentials the same?

20. Are all residentials the same?

21. What makes a Brilliant Residential?

22. What makes a brilliant residential?
fully integrated with the school curriculum and ethos
designed and led by teachers and, where appropriate, students
inclusive and affordable for all students
deliberately planned to meet students’ specific learning needs
part of a progressive programme of experiences
designed to include a wide range of new and memorable experiences
designed to allow space for students to develop collaborative relationships with both peers and staff
supported by senior leadership and school governors.

23. What are the barriers to YOU doing this?

24. What are the barriers to YOU doing this?
A Brilliant residential is…
fully integrated with the school curriculum and ethos
designed and led by teachers and, where appropriate, students
inclusive and affordable for all students
deliberately planned to meet students’ specific learning needs
part of a progressive programme of experiences
designed to include a wide range of new and memorable experiences
designed to allow space for students to develop collaborative relationships with both peers and staff
supported by senior leadership and school governors.
What challenges would you face if you decided to start planning a Brilliant Residential?
What are the solutions?