3.  Enhance curricular and recreational opportunities for our pupils  Provide a wider range of experiences for our pupils than could be provided on the school site alone  Promote the independence of our children as learners, and enable them to grow and develop in new learning environments

4. 2004 Green Class Trip to the Chalet de Peyranére,Col du Somport. We know the centre well – our first ever trip in 2004 was to this centre. I think this is about the 24th residential trip the ISB Primary School has run.

5. They don’t have to, but children may choose to bring a travel game, a book, or even a Nintendo DS to play with friends!

6. When we arrive, children carry their things (with a little help!) and unpack into the rooms they have chosen. It helps if they have helped to pack their bags – so they know what they’ve got! NAME LABELS ON EVERYTHING!

7. Children eat breakfast together – they have to take responsibility for some of the organisation and tidying!

8. This is probably the most luxurious of the five centres we’ve visited. Our teachers supervise the children at mealtimes and they eat in the same room.

9. Getting ready for a school morning is always a challenge – the children will return with new skills to make life easier! The main photo is at Somport, but was taken during a Ski Trip – it’s representative of how we get the children ready to go!

10. It’s fun learning together. For most activities we split into two groups.

11. All excursions are organised and led by the professional centre. Our teachers always accompany our groups.

13. The teachers will do there best to make it fun – but it wasn’t really midnight!

14. Seeing how agriculture works and how food is produced This year it’s to a Dairy to see how Cheese is made.

15. Learning in a different environment improves skills. Expert guides explain well.

16. Unique opportunities abound

17. Trips are organised and controlled – safety is paramount.

18. The groups are carefully monitored and controlled. As with skiing activites, safety helmets are provided, but children may choose to bring their own if you prefer. The instructors are used to leading groups of children in this environment. It’s not a problem if a child can’t ride a bike, they join the other group.

19. In the evenings the groups relaxes together. In the past, our teachers have run talent shows! Some children enjoyed the ‘optional’ ghost stories!

20. The 2 nd Night Disco is always popular

21. The trip will test children’s energy and endurance – we’d like to think of it as character building!

22.  Good for helping classes to bond  When a trip takes place right at the end of a year, there is a sense that many of the benefits are lost to the class