Thank you for trusting us with your children and allowing us to share such happy memories with them. Research tells us that staying away from home is a powerful way of developing key life skills, building confidence, self-esteem, communication and team working. This was all in clear evidence at Weardale! Helping each other, overcoming fears and challenges, practising independence, sharing bedrooms, solving problems together and the joy of making memories.
I believe all educational school trips benefit children in many ways and can be inspiring, positive experiences that not only enhance learning and understanding but also a child’s social and personal development.
School trips provide the opportunity for children to immerse themselves in new, different and exciting environments where learning is less formal – but sometimes more powerful – and a recreational element threads through their day. Educational visits also benefit pupils who have a more kinaesthetic, sensory or visual way of learning.
Taking learning outside the classroom and into real life sparks excitement and curiosity, imagination and creativity. All of these things translate into a renewed interest in subjects learned and increase motivation and engagement when we are back in the classroom. There is of course a fun aspect to any educational visit, an element of recreation and a break from routine. And that’s fantastic! Children should be encouraged to enjoy learning, creating special childhood memories that last a lifetime. Hope they were not too tired to tell you about their trips on their return!
My thanks go to all staff involved in giving up their own time to accompany children on these trips. Wishing you a happy weekend.

Mrs Kirsten Knight, Head of Pre-Prep