This week’s Upper IV residential trip has been a huge success.

We drove down to Swanage in clear weather and were lucky enough to have the sun stick around for the week. Conditions for the many outdoor activities were cold but clear, and our students made the most of the sunshine.

Our trip provider, Cumulus Outdoors, put on a variety of exciting activities that challenged our students to build their resilience and practise new skills. We rotated between bushcraft and air rifle shooting, fishing, beach games and urban orienteering.
Students in the boat rides learned a little about the geology of the Jurassic Coast, while also having the chance to drive the boats. An activity course of low and high ropes through the trees challenged all of us to locate our core muscles and overcome any fear of heights.

Back at the camp, students played football, pool and shuffle board, or relaxed in their dormitories playing highly competitive card games.

Evening activities saw UIV bonding around the camp fire and competing against staff in our residential quiz. On the final night we did an outdoor trek through the local nature reserve before warming up with a well-earned hot chocolate.

We come back to The Abbey tired and happy, with Upper IV having squeezed every last drop out of the experience of their first proper Outdoor Education trip. We are proud of their resilience, courage and enthusiasm, as well as being impressed with the lack of complaining about the cold and the amount of garlic bread they can eat at any one sitting.

Our thanks go to our tireless instructors at Cumulus, and to The Abbey staff who supported students and took part in all the activities alongside them. Please do ask any UIV student to tell you a bit more about her experience.