Activities Week

Each year your child will benefit from spending a week doing something entirely different whilst still continuing to learn!

Year 7 and 9 Residential Trips: Building Independence and Teamwork

Our residential trips are designed to foster independence, teamwork, and a sense of achievement. These activities provide invaluable experiences that help your child grow both personally and socially.

During these trips, your child will engage in a variety of challenging and exciting activities, such as tackling high ropes courses, abseiling down cliffs, and camping under the stars. These experiences not only build physical skills but also encourage them to step out of their comfort zones, work collaboratively with peers, and develop resilience.

Your child  will learn the importance of trust, communication, and team work, returning with a greater sense of confidence and a stronger bond with their classmates, ready to take on new challenges both in and out of the classroom.

In-School Adventures: Diverse and Enriching Experiences

In addition to residential trips, our school offers a wide variety of activities. Your child can look forward to adventurous experiences such as visiting a water park, engaging in laser battles, and even designing and building their own roller coasters. These activities are not only fun but also stimulate creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork.

Our cultural visits to historical locations and opportunities to see Shakespearean plays build your child’s cultural capital.

Work Experience and Post 18 Preparation

When your child is in Year 10 or the Sixth Form they will benefit from activities which support their future beyond school. Work experience in Year Ten and Sixth Form is a chance to experience work experience placements. If you are in Sixth Form you will also receive support in preparing your application for University.

Together, these activities ensure that our students receive a well-rounded education filled with adventure, creativity, and cultural enrichment.

During Activities Week, the Year 7s will either be on a 2-night residential at Gilwell Park in Essex, visiting Warwick Castle, or back at the School enjoying a Shakespeare Day.

Gilwell Park

This camp is the home of Scouting in the UK, set in 108 acres of beautiful woodland on the edge of Epping Forest, north-east of London. The site is easily accessible from the M25, yet it still gives the feeling of being in the great outdoors. It’s a large centre and boasts excellent facilities that rival an activity centre.

Visit their website at www.scoutadventures.org.uk/centre/gilwell-park.

Pupils are divided into six activity groups, which are chosen by the staff involved. Each group works together in a number of activities, led by a qualified instructor. This enables pupils to experience activities and tasks within small and large group situations.

The activities that the students will experience may include:

  • Grass Sledging
  • Climbing
  • Raft Building
  • Jacob's Ladder
  • Archery
  • Cycling
Camp Facilities

A converted aircraft hangar, 'The Lid', hosts a number of indoor activities, including a climbing wall and archery.

Food is provided through the stay, except for the first day when pupils will need to bring a packed lunch.

Accommodation will be 2 nights under canvas. Pupils will be able to choose who they share their tents with. Toilet and shower facilities are provided within easy reach of the campsite.

Kit List

 

  1. Lightweight waterproof/anorak
  2. Trainers
  3. Trousers, sweaters/jumpers, shirts/T-shirts, shorts, tracksuit
  4. Sleeping bag, pillow, pyjamas
  5. Trainers (they may get wet/muddy so bring an old pair and a carrier bag)
  6. Towel, swimming costume
  7. Spare underwear/socks
  8. Toiletries: soap, flannel, toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper
  9. Torch
  10. Plastic drink container/water bottle
  11. Hat
  12. High factor sun cream (water-resistant)

Remember, it is not a Fashion Week - DO NOT BRING YOUR BEST CLOTHES!

All items must be named, and packed in a rucksack or hold-all which can be carried.

PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY VALUABLES.

Shakespeare Day

This activity aims to bring Elizabethan theatre to life.  During the day, students will take part in a number of fun, interactive activities; they will be introduced to the play’s key themes, characters, plot and aspects of stagecraft. The day will climax in a live performance of 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream', provided by the English department in School.

This will all take place during the normal School day, finishing at 3.25pm. Please collect as normal.

Warwick Castle

Spectacular shows and attractions, spellbinding storytelling and exhilarating experiences make Warwick Castle one of the most exciting historic locations in Europe.

Our students' imaginations will be captured, as they witness more than 1,100 years of history come vividly to life, in one of Britain’s finest mediaeval fortresses.

With dozens of educational attractions and live entertainment, a day at Warwick Castle has plenty in store. Their educational programme is perfectly crafted for secondary students. That’s what makes Warwick Castle proud to be one of the best historic school trip destinations in the UK.

Visit their website at www.warwick-castle.com/schools/.

Activities Week 2025 Year 7 Booklet

See below for more information on the varied activities for Year 8 pupils this year.

Grafham Laser Tournament & Bushcraft Day

Bushcraft activities can teach about science, safety, self-reliance and help inspire a broader understanding of place in the natural world, while more advanced bushcraft techniques can provide learners with the skills for self-sufficiency:

https://www.grafham-water-centre.co.uk/activities/land-based-activities/bushcraft

Imperial War Museum Duxford

This historic site offers a unique insight into conflict and over a century of aviation. See aircraft take to the skies from the airfield that Spitfires first flew.

School groups can choose to take part in a variety of learning sessions, aimed at KS2-4 and led by one of their expert educators. Alternatively, groups can opt to explore the museum on a free self-guided visit.

A packed lunch will be required for the day.

Find out what to expect at www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford/schools.

It's A Knockout

This is a fun event to end the week, incorporating motivational team building. It is essential that suitable clothing and trainers are worn.  Bring a water bottle and a change of clothes on the day, plus a packed lunch.

To see what it's all about, go to www.we-are-a-knockout.co.uk/schools-and-youth-groups/.

We're A Knockout Safety Code of Practice Form

Rutland Water Aqua Park

The UK’s most exciting Aqua Park featuring the largest collection of bespoke big impact water obstacles:

https://aquaparkgroup.co.uk/locations/rutland/

Young Enterprise

This day will be run by Young Enterprise. The 'Learn to Earn' programme is a practical, activity-based programme designed to provide students with an economic awareness of the link between what they do at School and their future life prospects. They are encouraged to identify goals and aspirations, and to understand how the choices they make and their level of achievement affect the attainment of these goals.

The sessions of ‘Learn to Earn’ directly support the development of financial capability through the introduction of concepts such as budgeting and by exploring the realities and costs of working life.

Pupils have found this a stimulating and challenging experience.

Activities Week 2025 Year 8 Booklet

For Activities Week, Year 9 pupils will be staying at Boreatton Park in Shropshire, a PGL Centre.

Parents and carers can find out more about what happens on PGL trips at https://www.pgl.co.uk/en-gb/school-trips/resources/parent-guide/about.

For those pupils not going to Boreatton Park, there will be a variety of activities in School and around Peterborough, such as visiting the Tower of Peterborough Cathedral and orienteering at Ferry Meadows.

Activities Week 2025 Year 9 Booklet

This year, Year 10 is taking part in It's A Knockout, a fun event to start the week, incorporating motivational team building. It is essential that suitable clothing and trainers are worn.  Bring a water bottle and a change of clothes on the day.

To see what it's all about, go to www.we-are-a-knockout.co.uk/schools-and-youth-groups/.

The remainder of the week is given over to Work Experience.

Activities Week 2025 Year 10 Booklet