High Lodge

High Lodge

Our whole school had a brilliant day at High Lodge on Wednesday 6^th September 2023. Children took part in a range of activities, including: willow weaving with Mrs Booth and Mr Fidler, den building with Sara Star, archery, team building games with Go Ape, a Viking re-enactment and using the amazing climbing frames at High Lodge. We had a whole school lunch on the huge playing field, where children joined in football games, played ‘tag’ or sat under trees in the shade.

Key outcomes for the trip were:

Grow in confidence and self-belief
To enjoy new experiences, in new places and want to keep exploring
Believe they have broader range of essential skills
Feel empowered to make positive choices about their future
To see that learning is fun, aspirational and lifelong
Feel their eyes have been opened to a multiplicity of learning activities and opportunities

Research shows that participation in extra-curricular activities can positively impact on attainment, increase a pupil’s positive identification with school, and build self-confidence and resilience. Research also shows that children who do not have access to these opportunities fall behind, lack confidence, and fail to develop career aspirations. The impact of these activities is proven to be positive, which is why we’re committed at Drake to creating a level playing field of opportunity and opening up access to children of all backgrounds.

Positive comments:

A great day to know new children and new staff members
Archery was a well-run activity
Best way for a transition
Children behaved really well
Loved the free play area
Well-organised day- everyone knew where to be and when
Drop-offs and pick-ups ran smoothly
Children all had a great day, SEND pupils were well supported and also able to be independent
Activities were engaging and varied
Children were really excited to make dens in a huge forest
History re-enactor was informative and engaging
A great way to build positive relationships from day one and create memories that can be referred back to
Enjoyed the freedom to move around the woods independently and choose activities to do

Points for reflection:

Even more activities for next year
Toilets to be opened (by High Lodge) to accommodate for our early arrival
Stagger lunch break so that children are able to access the limited number of toilets
No mobile/internet connection- could High Lodge allow us to use their phones/internet?