Year 6 Residential – Kayaking, Zip-lining and Surviving the Heatwave!

23rd June 2026Hannah McLoughlin

Making a Splash with Kayaking

Our kayaking session was definitely one of the highlights. After a quick lesson on how to paddle (and how not to paddle into your friends!), we headed out onto the water. There were some impressive kayaking skills on display, and we couldn’t help jumping in for a swim.

The children showed great teamwork, confidence and resilience as they took on new challenges and developed their skills on the water.

Sensory Trail Adventures

The sensory trail was a chance to put our trust, communication and teamwork skills to the test. With limited sight and lots of unusual textures and obstacles underfoot, the children had to work together to guide one another safely around the course.

Reaching New Heights on the Zip Wire

The zip wire certainly got hearts racing! Standing at the top required a lot of courage, but every single child gave it their best effort. The cheers from below could probably be heard across the whole site as children launched themselves into the air and flew across the course.

Many children stepped well outside their comfort zones and left the activity feeling incredibly proud of themselves.

Quiz Night Champions

After a busy day of activities, it was time to put our brains to work during quiz night. Teams battled it out across a range of questions, from general knowledge to some rather tricky challenges.

They have shown resilience, kindness, teamwork and a willingness to try new things. They are making fantastic memories and building friendships.

Also, apologies as the photos are not uploading due to not having the best internet connection here!

Year 6 Residential – Day One

22nd June 2026Hannah McLoughlin

What a start to our Year 6 residential!

After arriving safely and settling in, it was straight into the action. First up was archery, which we discovered we were very skilled at!

Next came the climbing wall. There were some nervous faces at first, but everyone gave it a go and showed fantastic determination. It was brilliant to see the children cheering each other on and there were plenty of proud smiles at the top – and relieved ones when both feet were back on the ground!

To round off the day, we headed into battle for laser tag. Alliances were formed, strategies were discussed and a few teachers may have discovered that Year 6 pupils are surprisingly good at sneaking up on them! There were lots of laughs and more than a little competitive spirit.

So far, the children have been amazing – full of enthusiasm, encouragement and endless energy (we’re hoping some of them might actually sleep tonight!). Day one has been a huge success and we can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Stay tuned for more adventures!

Forest School Crew Challenge

22nd June 2026Charlotte Newman

Crew McLoughlin and Crew Gray recently took part in an exciting Forest School challenge using the game Go Find It Too! Working in small groups, the children were given cards showing different objects, colours, textures, and features to find in the natural environment. They explored the Forest School area carefully, searching for items that matched the cards while demonstrating excellent teamwork, communication, and observation skills. The challenge encouraged the children to work together, discuss their ideas, and look closely at the world around them, helping to develop their problem-solving skills while enjoying outdoor learning. Everyone showed great enthusiasm and determination throughout the activity, making it a fun and successful challenge for all involved. 🌿🔍🍂

XP Festival: Lineup!

22nd June 2026Geoff Hewitt

Curious about the XP Festival lineup?

Here’s a hint: students from every XP Trust school will be sharing their passions through vibrant art installations, dance, storytelling, and live music! This is a key moment in our XP Live programme, giving young people authentic opportunities to produce and perform work that has agency and legacy.

Get your tickets here!

https://www.ticketsource.com/xptrust/t-oemmpmr

M + M Productions Visit Our School

22nd June 2026Nicole Tymon

On Friday, we were delighted to welcome M + M Productions to our school to perform the classic story The Railway Children.

The performance was fantastic, and the whole school thoroughly enjoyed it. The actors brought the story to life and encouraged lots of audience participation. Our Hub children especially loved getting involved, singing, dancing, and joining in with the fun.

Thank you to M + M Productions for such an enjoyable and memorable experience!